A former combat center marine, Sergeant Clifford Woldridge received the nation's second highest decoration for valor, the Navy Cross. The Navy Cross is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism. To warrant this decoration, the act or execution of duty must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk. Sergeant Woldridge was awarded the Navy Cross at the Lance Corporal Tory L. Gray Field, May 18, for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. With his N249 saw machine gun, Woldridge led a fire team through a counter ambush on 15 enemy combatants. While providing security for his fire teams withdrawal, he came face to face with two enemy fighters and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a third. I saw his barrel coming around the corps so it grabbed it up. It was our meeting. Under Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Mr. Robert O. Work presented Sergeant Woldridge with the decoration. It's just an unbelievable act of courage and selflessness. Not only did he maneuver against an enemy, dispersed him, saved him in Marines and he squad, covered with withdrawal of his own fire team. Sergeant Woldridge says his actions would be impossible without his fellow Marines. It's always good to know that if you're going into a hot area, then somebody's got your back. Reporting for the Combat Center, I'm Lance Corporal Maureen Kirkamillis.