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(KSL News) -- A Utah Marine was honored today for heroism. Marine Sgt. Willie L. Copeland III of Smithfield received the prestigious Navy Cross at a Camp Pendleton ceremony.
Copeland is a member of the Marine 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. When insurgents attacked his platoon last year in Iraq Sgt. Copeland led five Marines to safety, found cover, and killed ten insurgents.
He used his body to shield his injured commanding officer until help arrived.
Copeland says he's "embarrassed" by the attention and was only doing his job.
