Brent Morel
Encyclopedia
Brent L. Morel was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps
who was awarded the Navy Cross
posthumously for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He succeeded Nathaniel Fick
as Platoon
Commander of 2d Platoon, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 7 April 2004, Captain Morel's platoon escorted a convoy into the Al Anbar Province when 40 to 60 insurgents in well-fortified and concealed positions initiated an ambush. Witnessing a rocket-propelled grenade crippling his lead vehicle and while mortar and machine gun fire erupted, he ordered his remaining two vehicles to secure a flanking position. Captain Morel left his vehicle and led an assault across an open field and up a 10-foot berm
, in order to maneuver into firing positions. His assault eliminated several insurgents at close range and forced others to retreat.
While his Marines were pinned down from enemy fire, Captain Morel left the safety of his position and continued the assault, halting the enemy's attack. In the process, he fell mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire.
Morel was survived by his wife Amy.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
who was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
posthumously for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Nathaniel Fick
Nathaniel C. "Nate" Fick is a veteran United States Marine Corps officer and CEO of the Center for a New American Security, a national security think tank based in Washington, D.C. He came to public notice for his writing on military life and the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq...
as Platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
Commander of 2d Platoon, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
1st Reconnaissance Battalion is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force ....
, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 7 April 2004, Captain Morel's platoon escorted a convoy into the Al Anbar Province when 40 to 60 insurgents in well-fortified and concealed positions initiated an ambush. Witnessing a rocket-propelled grenade crippling his lead vehicle and while mortar and machine gun fire erupted, he ordered his remaining two vehicles to secure a flanking position. Captain Morel left his vehicle and led an assault across an open field and up a 10-foot berm
Berm
A berm is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier separating two areas. Berm originates in the Middle Dutch and German berme and came into usage in English via French.- History :...
, in order to maneuver into firing positions. His assault eliminated several insurgents at close range and forced others to retreat.
While his Marines were pinned down from enemy fire, Captain Morel left the safety of his position and continued the assault, halting the enemy's attack. In the process, he fell mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire.
Morel was survived by his wife Amy.