On one hot August morning near Rawah, Iraq, Lance Corporal Moses Cardenas of the Marines 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion found his platoon barraged by an insurgent suicide bomb, numerous rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine gun fire.
In the chaotic moments that followed, Cardenas would have to decide between attempting the rescue of his wounded sergeant or remain in his covered position until reinforcements arrived. The choice was simple.
Cardenas thought, "He was my sergeant; I had to do something," and with that he courageously charged 50 meters through the kill-zone to his wounded comrade. Running the gauntlet through enemy fire, he was shot in the neck by the spray of weapons’ fire. Undeterred, he arrived at Sgt. Randy Roedema’s exposed position and performed first-aid to stop the flow of blood from Roedema’s severe wounds.
With both Marines wounded and under the sights of numerous insurgents, Cardenas knew if he was to save his friend he must evacuate both of them to safety. With his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon charged and a grip on his injured sergeant, Cardenas rotated between firing his machine gun and pulling Roedema across the battlefield. Reaching the relative safety of his platoon’s convoy, Cardenas continued laying down suppressive fire until the situation came under control and medics could tend to the wounded Marines.
Cardenas was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award. Roedema would later reflect "I owe him my life." Four days after Cardenas saved his life, Roedema’s wife gave birth to their first child – a child that will have a father because of the selfless act preformed by Cardenas on that summer morning in Iraq.
What an incredible act of bravery and just another example of how great our guys/gals in uniform are.
Posted by: Lynn | April 01, 2009 at 01:05 AM
tremendous. thank you, you guys are a role model for everyone.
you might like this too...it's the story about the first time that any Gold Star parent visited the actual site where their son or daughter was killed while in Iraq. Essay and photos. It is a tremendous story.
http://www.parcbench.com/article_details.php?RId=82
Posted by: kelleng16 | April 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Another awesome Marine! I am SO proud of our guys! That was a great ending, too, about the wounded Marine's baby having a daddy because of the heroism of Cpl. Cardenas.
Posted by: Karen in FL | April 01, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Wonderful man-why won't someone make a movie about our REAL heroes
Posted by: mindy1 | April 04, 2009 at 07:35 AM
What an absolutely amazing account of a hero's instinct! God Bless both men and their loved ones!!! THANK GOD FOR THE MARINE CORPS!!!!
Posted by: Rylish | April 09, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Uncommon Valor IS STILL a common virtue!
Posted by: MSgt Mercer (Ret,) | April 09, 2009 at 04:52 PM
You gotta love these kids and the training they receive.
It allows instinct and heroism to surface.
Taking fire and evacuating a wounded comrade was, more than likely, referred to by Cpl. Cardenas as being "all in a days work".
His folks must be mighty - and rightfully - proud.
Thanks for the story. These guys are something else.
Posted by: Jimbuffalo | April 22, 2009 at 02:46 PM
awesome! Heroic Marine, doing his job!
Posted by: Brandon | February 18, 2011 at 04:11 PM