Eubaldo A. Lovato

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Eubaldo A. Lovato, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 15 November 2004 while serving as a Squad Leader with Company A, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, in support of IRAQI FREEDOM. During Operation Al Fajr, a Marine from Lance Corporal Lovato’s platoon was mortally wounded while entering an enemy stronghold. Multiple attempts to retrieve the fallen Marine had failed due to the enemy’s tenacious resolve to fight in place to the death. Improvised explosive charges, multiple tank rounds, and the shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapons failed to eliminate the enemy. Corporal Lovato volunteered to enter the enemy stronghold with other non-commissioned officers from the platoon in order to retrieve the fallen Marine. With complete disregard for his own safety, and under intense enemy machine gun fire, he and his fellow NCOs eliminated the enemy with hand grenades and deadly accurate small arms fire at close range. The sacrifice he willingly made to retrieve a Marine who was not even part of his own squad inspired the entire unit. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Lovato reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.