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Aug 9, 2005 6:10 pm US/Central
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Suburban Marine Awarded Prestigious Silver Star
Only Three Dozen Servicemen In Iraq Received Honor
by Kristyn Hartman
TINLEY PARK (CBS) ―
More than 50,000 Marines have served in Iraq. The prestigious Silver Star award for valor has been given to less than three dozen. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports that a hero from Tinley Park has one today for risking his life to save others.
Sgt. Michael Mendoza's family came camera ready for his Silver Star presentation.
"He's a very good Marine, heard that from so many people," said Mendoza's wife, Kelly.
That Marine earned the military's third highest valor award while serving in Iraq.
"I would go back and help these Marines any day," Michael Mendoza said.
On the April day he did help, insurgents south of Fallujah had ambushed his platoon.
"We were under heavy fire between RPG's mortar rounds, IED's -- these were all coming in at one time," Mendoza said.
His expression in a picture taken right after the firefight shows what a tough situation it was. Some of the men he calls brothers were hurt. He went to their aid.
"I never thought twice. I saw my captain go down and other Marines go down at the same time -- all you can do is jet out there and retrieve them," Mendoza said.
Mendoza took action even though in the words of the corps, he was exposed, outmanned and outgunned. His parents admire his courage.
"He did put his life on the line for other people. We are very proud of him," said his father, Julio Mendoza.
"For him to be there and save a few lives makes me feel good for the other moms," said Mendoza's mother, Georgina Kaminsky.
Mendoza says he would do it all again because his brothers would do the same for him.
He also said his silver star is about everyone who worked together -- and the military who continue to do so -- protecting the home front and rebuilding Iraq.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)