Aubrey McDade


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

Early life and education

McDade enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1999, after graduating from Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas.

Career

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, 2nd Marine Division, attached at the time to the Regimental Combat Team 7 when his squad was attacked and pinned down by small arms and machine gun fire in an alley that injured three Marines. McDade, in the rear, rushed to the front of his squad to direct machine gun fire at the attackers. Under fire, McDade then rescued two of the wounded Marines, one at a time. The 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