History in the USMC

Staff Sergeant Elber Navarro is an Arleta, CA native and graduate of San Fernando High School. Navarro enlisted in the Marine Corps in March of 1999.

After recruit training, Navarro attended the School of Infantry and earned his military occupational specialty as a rifleman. His first assignment was as a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Over the course of his career, he served in various billets within 5th Marines and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Commendation

SSgt. Navarro was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for his heroic achievement while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Dec. 14th, 2004.

During clearing operations, SSgt. Navarro seized the initiative when insurgents engaged an adjacent squad in the center of a house with automatic weapons fire, wounding several Marines. Aware of the time critical nature of the situation, he directed an amphibious assault vehicle to knock a hole in the front wall to gain a foothold inside the house. His squad then received a heavy volume of enemy fire from deep inside the house.

Without hesitation, SSgt. Navarro positioned himself just outside the insurgent strongpoint. With enemy bullets impacting all around him, he bravely suppressed the room with fragmentation grenades and semi-automatic rifle fire.

SSgt. Navarro next led the assault force, spearheading the strongpoint's destruction and the rescue effort for a fellow Marine. His courageous actions quelled an intense and extremely close-quarters exchange of fire. SSgt. Navarro reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.