Sergeant Clifford Wooldridge was awarded the Navy Cross two years ago for his valor in Afghanistan. The Navy Cross is the second highest honor or military decoration that one can receive in the Navy, for an act of valor while in combat.
This medal was awarded to him for his actions on June 18, 2010 in Musa Qala, Afghanistan. When Wooldridge’s patrol vehicle came under fire, his team dismounted after he saw 15 fighters preparing to ambush them. Leading his team, he was able to kill eight people with his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon using 5.56mm rounds.
As his team slowly withdrew from the area, Wooldridge solely covered for his team. He then heard voices from a wall which he bravely faced, and saw two enemies. He managed to kill both. Crouching against the wall to reload his gun, he saw a barrel of a gun appear from the other side of the wall.
Wooldridge dropped his own weapon and grabbed the barrel of the machine gun. There was a struggle and the enemy reached for the pin of a grenade attached to Wooldridge’s vest. Wooldridge was able to grab the machine gun from the fighter and took a shot. When it did not work, he used the stock of the gun to pummel the insurgent to his death.
Because of these actions, the Navy awarded Sergeant Wooldridge the Navy Cross. An amazing story.
