In January 2005, Sgt. Jarred Adams, a scout sniper with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, braved enemy fire to retrieve the body of a fallen Marine from a burning Humvee.
According to a June 2006 Department of Defense press release, Adams’ Humvee came under attack by insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades during an ambush in Husaybah, a town of 50,000 people in Anbar province, Iraq.
In the ensuing chaos, Adams’ vehicle crashed and got stuck, and another Humvee became separated from the patrol. While his fellow Marines worked on dislodging their vehicle, Adams returned fire. With the vehicle free, Adams and his crew made their way back through intense enemy fire to rescue their fellow Marines.
Just then, an RPG struck their Humvee, killing one Marine and wounding the rest. Adams was peppered with shrapnel and burned in the blast as the vehicle caught fire. He retreated to a safe position, but then realized that the body of his fellow Marine was still inside in the burning Humvee.
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Under enemy fire, Adams climbed into the burning wreckage and retrieved the body. Then, completely exposed, he carried the fallen Marine through an intersection and back to safety.
It wasn’t until the Marines were back at headquarters that Adams sought treatment for his injuries.
Lt. Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer of the Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.-based 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, addresses Marines and sailors of his battalion after awarding the Silver Star to Sgt. Jarred L. Adams during a ceremony at the Marines’ camp at Al Qa’im, Iraq, June 10, 2006.U.S. Army photo by Spc. Antonio Rosas
On June 10, 2006, in Camp Al Qaim, Adams was on another deployment to Iraq with the same battalion when he was awarded the Silver Star for Valor in recognition of his bravery that day.
“I don’t think I did anything any other Marine wouldn’t do,” said Adams. “I would do it again if it came down to it.”
While Adams’ modesty speaks to his character, the Marines he served with were more vocal in their recognition of his actions and heroism.
“I am very proud that we can count on Marines like Cpl. Adams,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas F. Marano, the commanding officer for Adams’ unit, during the ceremony. “He is an example of the kind of leaders we have in this battalion.”