Aubrey McDade

Aubrey L. McDade, Jr. is a United States Marine Corps who was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in Iraq War, in which he rescued two U.S. Marines during an enemy ambush in the Second Battle of Fallujah, in November 2004. He is the fifteeneth U.S. Marine to receive the Navy Cross in the Global War on Terror.

Early life and career
Aubrey McDade enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1999, after graduating from Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. McDade's first tour of duty in the Iraq War was from March 2003, to October 2003. He returned to Iraq for a second deployment from June 2004 through February 2005.

Second Battle of Fallujah
On the night of November 11, 2004, during the Second Battle of Fallujah, McDade was a machine gun squad leader with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 1st Marine Division, when his squad was attacked and pinned down by small arms and machine gun fire in an alley. Two U.S. Marines were injured. McDade, in the rear, rushed to the front of his squad, directing machine gun fire at the attackers. Under fire, McDade then rescued two of the wounded Marines, one at a time. A third Marine was killed in the attack and his body was recovered. McDade was originally awarded the Silver Star for his action; the award was subsequently upgraded to the Navy Cross.

Navy Cross
On January 19, 2007, Staff Sergeant McDade was presented with the Navy Cross during a recruit graduation ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where he served as a drill instructor for 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Charlie Company.

On January 23, 2007, SSgt. McDade was the guest of First Lady Laura Bush at the State of the Union Address.

Decorations

 * Navy Cross ribbon.svg Navy Cross
 * Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
 * Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon
 * Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Unit Commendation
 * Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon.svg Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
 * Iraq Campaign ribbon.svg Iraq Campaign Medal
 * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
 * Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
 * Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service Medal