MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A medal is no fair exchange for a best friend.
That's how Camp Pendleton's latest Bronze Star Medal recipient summed up his award.
Lance Cpl. Randy B. Lake, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, collected the medal, with Combat Distinguishing Device, Monday on the regiment's parade deck. It marked his relentless push ---- amid exploding enemy grenades ---- aimed at routing holed-up insurgents and extracting a wounded friend who later died from his injuries.
"Medals don't replace friends," Lake said soon after receiving the Bronze Star for his exploits during the battle of Fallujah in November 2004.
During intense house-to-house fighting, a sniper notified Lake and another Marine that an enemy rocket-propelled grenade team was advancing toward their position. Lake and his partner spotted the enemy inside a house. They immediately rushed the house and eliminated four insurgents, the award citation read.
Meanwhile, a Marine from the fire team, 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Justin D. McLeese from Covington, La., was struck by an insurgent barricaded inside the house.
As enemy grenades exploded around him, Lake immediately realized he needed to find another route to extract his buddy, who had been wounded by enemy automatic gunfire, according to the citation. As he exited, he immediately identified an improvised explosive device attached to the door frame.
"Getting all the Marines out of the house was the most important thing," Lake recalled.
After instructing the squad to remain outside, Lake re-entered the house through another door. Before he could extract the wounded Marine, the device detonated, knocking him through an opening in the house.
Although unable to save McLeese, Lake recovered his composure and provided first aid to four other blast casualties, the citation said.
The Bronze Star is awarded by all branches of military service for either combat heroism or meritorious service. The bronze "V" identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or valor, distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.
Shortly after receiving the Bronze Star, Lake reflected on the homecoming plans he and McLeese shared.
"He always talked about going to Mardi Gras and all the crawfish he would eat," Lake said.
Lake and other Marines, all friends of McLeese, are planning a trip to Louisiana in memory of their fallen comrade, he said.
Although he joined the Corps to "be the best," Lake said he shouldn't be recognized as a hero. His fellow Marines beg to differ.
"He is an outstanding Marine and did as he was told. He was the point man because he paid great attention to details," said fellow fire team member Cpl. Joe L. Vara.
E-mail Lance Cpl. Arthur at Lanessa.arthur@usmc.mil.