CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Growing up in a Navy family, Petty Officer 3rd Class Angel Gilbert always thought there was a good chance he would end up serving in the Navy. What he didn't anticipate is that two years after joining, he would receive an award for heroism for actions that took place hundreds of miles from the ocean.
Gilbert, a corpsman with 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, was recognized here June 24 for his heroic actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year.
"His dedication and professionalism with his Marines is always inspiring other corpsman around him," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua McCullough, corpsman with 7th Communications Bn.
With both parents serving in the Navy, Gilbert grew up with ambition, knowing in his heart that he would make something of himself.
I never really knew what I wanted from life until my mother and father began talking to me about the military, said Gilbert.
As things began to unfold in front of me, the life of a corpsman became my only desire, the Seabeck, Wash., native added.
As fate would have it, Gilbert went off to Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill. in October 2006 and graduated basic training in December that same year.
Two years later, Gilbert's travels took him to the Uzbin Valley of Eastern Afghanistan for service with a quick reaction force element with embedded training team 1-11.
During a firefight between members of an adjacent unit and at least 20 enemy fighters, Gilbert rushed to aid friendlies pinned down in a crossfire kill zone.
Gilbert began assessing casualties while under constant small arms fire without cover or concealment. He was able to save one life and assist other U.S. and Afghan service members, according to the citation.
"For courageous and exceptional performance of his duties under heavy concentrated enemy fire," Gilbert was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat distinguishing device.
"Everything was going in slow motion - like in the movies," he recalled.
"I can't really explain it. It was like I felt everything at once. I was sad, happy, scared," he described of his emotions during the event.
"My Marines don't deserve for me to be scared," he said. "They have to know that I will stand right beside them wherever they go."