Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Jonathan T. Yale, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an Anti-Tank Missileman, Mobile Assault Platoon 4, Weapons Company, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 22 April 2008.

While Corporal Yale and a fellow Marine manned a sentry post at the Entry Control Point (ECP) for Joint Security Station Nasser in Ramadi, Iraq, a tank truck suddenly began to rapidly negotiate the serpentine concrete obstacles leading to the ECP. Corporal Yale and his fellow Marine quickly recognized the threat of a suicide bomber driving a truck capable of carrying a large quantity of explosives and posing a major threat to the more than 50 Marines and Iraqi policemen in the Joint Security Station. Corporal Yale immediately engaged the truck with precise fire from his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, while his fellow Marine opened fire with his M4 rifle. Ignoring the grave personal risk, Corporal Yale and his fellow Marine continued their accurate fires, stopping the truck a few feet from their positions. At that instant the suicide bomber detonated approximately 2,000 pounds of explosives contained in the truck, leveling the ECP and mortally wounding Corporal Yale.

The courageous actions of Corporal Yale in resolutely defending his post against an imminent threat undoubtedly helped save the lives of more than 50 Marines and Iraqi policemen at Joint Security Station Nasser that day. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, courageous actions and total devotion to duty, Corporal Yale reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: 22-Apr-08
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Corporal
Company: Weapons Company
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1
Division: II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

Yale, Jonathan Tyler, Cpl