04OCT2011: Leading a patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, SSgt Alec Haralovic and his team of dismounted Marines knew they could expect contact with the enemy at any moment. Shortly, the Taliban began their attack, more effectively and accurately than expected with two of the first rounds striking SSgt Haralovic and knocking him to the ground. Checking himself for wounds, SSgt Haralovic realized the enemy fire had struck his body armor. Cpl. Matthew Chen, a medic, was moving to treat what he thought was a wounded Marine when SSgt Haralovic waved him off. As the enemy fire intensified, SSgt Haralovic took it upon himself to end the fight. He grabbed an M74 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) and, without concern for his own well being, ran through an open field completely exposed to enemy fire, in order to find a suitable attack position. With some of his Marines exposed and taking effective enemy fire, SSgt Haralovic fired the LAW. The shot destroyed the enemy position and stopped the attack, preventing any of his Marines from being seriously wounded or killed. The ambush broken up, SSgt Haralovic then led his Marines for the rest of the patrol, over two more hours in contested enemy territory. For his bravery in destroying an enemy strong point after taking two rounds to his body armor, SSgt Alec Haralovic would be awarded the Silver Star.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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