A Camp Pendleton Marine was awarded the Silver Star Wednesday for saving the life of a critically-wounded Marine in Afghanistan by fending off a mass group of Taliban fighters so a medical helicopter could land and safely evacuate him.
The ceremony for Master Sgt. David Jarvis of Bremerton, Wash., took place on Camp Pendleton.
The Silver Star and Bronze Star with Combat V is the military's third-highest award for valor in combat.
When a Marine in his platoon was injured by an explosive device on Oct. 25, 2010, Jarvis took decisive action.
He exposed himself to a barrage of heavy machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades as he led Marines to hold their position in an hour-long firefight in Afghanistan's Upper Sangin River Valley.
Jarvis deployed to Afghanistan from May to December 2010 and is currently the battalion training chief for 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.
