IRAQ: Marine receives Bronze Star for bravery.

In a ceremony Friday at Camp Pendleton, Marine Cpl. Francisco J. Valles received the Bronze Star for bravery and leadership during an attack by Iraqi insurgents Aug. 2.

When his patrol was ambushed, Valles helped pull a wounded Marine to safety, provided emergency aid to several others, and killed a suicide-bomber who was dashing toward the Marines.

''I shot him in the chest and he blew up," Valles said matter-of-factly.

On his wrist, Valles wears a bracelet with the name of his best friend, Lance Cpl. Christian Vasquez, who was killed in the attack. "He was with me that day, he'll always be with me," he said.

Valles, who grew up in Montebello, Calif., is set to redeploy to Iraq in August with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He said he hopes to use his experience to help younger, less seasoned troops.

"I want to go back so I can make sure all the Marines who go with me come back alive," he said.

Valles is 21 years old.

Tony Perry, at Camp Pendleton

Photo: Cpl. Francisco Valles. Credit: Tony Perry/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[P. Barron]

I want to commend Cpl. Valles for a job well done. As a former Marine born and raised in Montebello (same as Valles) It makes me fill good to know that there are still young men out there in the world who do things for the betterment of man and in this case his fellow Marines. Cpl. Valles is a man who isn't blinded by the foolish things in life as many young american males his age are these days. He knows what's "real" in life because of the values the Marines Corps has enstilled upon him and because of his experiences in combat. He isn't part of this whole "MTV" generation. Freedom isn't free, it comes with a price and alot of young men and woman seem to forget that, because our freedom is taken for granted. So with that said, Cpl. Valles I again commend you on a job well done! Semper Fi "Devil Dog"! Be safe and bring the men in your squad back home!

[JRG]

A true Hero! Congrats!

[Max]

Thank you for your service, Cpl. Valles. Thank you. God Bless!

[Kevin]

Thank you, Cpl. Valles. Thank you. Please come home safe!