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Meet Marine Sgt Willie Copeland
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - When his platoon was ambushed in an attack by insurgents in Iraq last year, Marine Sgt. Willie L. Copeland III took charge.Service crosses are second only to the Medal of Honor.He led five Marines out of the heaviest fire, found cover and killed 10 of the enemy in close combat. When his commanding officer fell wounded, Copeland used his body to shield the officer as he administered first aid.
For his leadership and dedication to duty, the 26-year-old from Utah on Thursday received the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest honor. Seven Marines have received the Navy Cross for Operation Iraqi Freedom through Jan. 10, according to the latest figures from the Marine Corps Awards Branch.
The attack killed one Marine and wounded several others.
Copeland said he was embarrassed by the attention and explained that he was doing only what every Marine would do.
''Nothing's natural about running into bullets,'' he said. ''It's more important for me to make sure my men are OK.''