Luis Fonseca Luis E . Fonseca , Jr . ( born 1980 ) is a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman who was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on March 23 , 2003 during the Battle of Nasiriyah , one of the first large major battles of the opening stages of the Iraq War . Early life and education . Fonseca is from Fayetteville in Cumberland County , North Carolina and was born in 1980 in Frankfurt , West Germany ( now Frankfurt , Germany ) . A high school dropout , Fonseca had an early fascination with medicine and healthcare . Career . Fonseca initially wanted to enlist in the U . S . Marine Corps , but decided otherwise when he discovered that they did not have a dedicated medical occupational specialty . He ultimately ended up enlisting in the U . S . Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in 1999 , and graduated from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in September of that year . Fonseca graduated from Hospital Corpsman " A " School in February 2000 , and graduated from Field Medical Service School in May 2000 . He was assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion from May 2000 to August 2003 , and to 2nd Battalion , 8th Marines ( 2 / 8 ) , from August 2003 to July 2004 . Afterwards , he served at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune from July 2004 until May 2007 , and later , with the . Fonseca served in the War in Afghanistan from November 2003 to May 2004 . He returned home from the Iraq War and was awarded the Navy Cross . However , the stress of the war , combined with the fame and attention received as a result of being awarded the medal , led Fonseca to alcohol abuse . During this time , Fonseca also dealt with post - traumatic stress disorder . Ultimately , his commanders intervened , and Fonseca received assistance in the form of counseling and medication , making a recovery possible . In many cases , among returning military veterans during wartime , psychological effects have much longer - lasting effects compared to physical wounds . Navy Cross citation . The Secretary of the Navy Washington , D . C . 20350 - 1000 The President of the United States Takes Pleasure in Presenting The Navy Cross To Luis E . Fonseca Hospitalman Apprentice , United States Navy For Services as Set Forth in the Following Citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Corpsman , Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon , Company C . , First Battalion , Second Marines , Regimental Combat Team 2 on 23 March 2003 . During Company C ' s assault and seizure of the Saddam Canal Bridge , an amphibious assault vehicle was struck by a rocket - propelled grenade inflicting five casualties . Without concern for his own safety , Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca braved small arms , machine gun , and intense rocket propelled grenade fire to evacuate the wounded Marines from the burning amphibious assault vehicle and tend to their wounds . He established a casualty collection point inside the unit ' s medical evacuation amphibious assault vehicle , calmly and methodically stabilizing two casualties with lower limb amputations by applying tourniquets and administering morphine . He continued to treat and care for the wounded awaiting evacuation until his vehicle was rendered immobile by enemy direct and indirect fire . Under a wall of enemy machine gun fire , he directed the movement of four casualties from the damaged vehicle by organizing litter teams from available Marines . He personally carried one critically wounded Marine over open ground to another vehicle . Following a deadly artillery barrage , Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca again exposed himself to enemy fire to treat Marines wounded along the perimeter . Returning to the casualty evacuation amphibious assault vehicle , he accompanied his casualties South through the city to a Battalion Aid Station . After briefing medical personnel on the status of his patients , Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca returned North through the city to Company C ' s lines and to his fellow Marines that had been wounded in his absence . His timely and effective care undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous casualties . Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca ' s actions reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions to the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service . Personal life . Fonseca is from Fayetteville , North Carolina and is married to Maria Fonseca , who is a fellow Hospital Corpsman who also served in the Iraq War . Together , they have two sons , one of whom is named Christian . One of their two sons is interested in serving in the United States Navy , and the other is interested in serving in the United States Marine Corps . Fonseca is a fan of country music , specifically Johnny Cash , Heidi Newfield , and Hank Williams III . Fonseca is also a member of the Legion of Valor .