Lejeune Marine, Bragg soldiers honored for valor

More than three dozen Fort Bragg soldiers also were recognized Friday for valor in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

The soldiers are members of the Third Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. Five received a Silver Star, 16 received a Bronze Star with Valor, 16 received Army commendation medals and one received a Purple Heart.

At Camp Lejeune, Marine First Sgt. Christopher J. Adams received a Bronze Star with a Combat Distinguishing Device, which is added for acts of valor. That is the military's fourth-highest combat award.

The award citation praises Adams as "a model example of a fighter and leader in combat" while serving in Afghanistan from October 2009 to last May, with the Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The citation states that during combat on Nov. 16, 2009, Adams responded to a squad leader's call for help and led a 1,500-meter charge against enemy firing positions.

"His decisive leadership broke the enemy's will to fight," Capt. Binford Strickland stated in a release.

Three days later, Adams was met for the second time by enemy fire and responded with his own. He then provided help for the innocent victims of the combat.

"Adams provided a model example for his Marines and sailors and instilled in them a ruthless desire to hunt for the enemy while assisting the local population," the citation states.