MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- When rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns and small-arms fire headed in Cpl. Abraham McCarver's direction, he fought back - while saving the life of his platoon commander in the process.

For his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, McCarver, a 22-year-old rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, was awarded a Silver Star - the nation's third highest military award for combat heroism.

McCarver, and his platoon were patrolling in an amphibious assault vehicle through Fallujah, April 13, 2004, when it was attacked by enemy fire.

"Every time we passed an alleyway, (our vehicle) got shot," said 1st Lt. Christopher D. Ayres, an infantry officer and McCarver's platoon commander during the battalion's deployment last year.

Enemy RPGs and small-arms fire cut through the air, piercing the vehicle's protective panels.

Flames engulfed the Marines' vehicle.

"All I could see was smoke," McCarver said.

McCarver and his platoon finally found refuge at a nearby house, dismounted the vehicle and took cover behind the home's gates, where they were met by intense enemy gunfire.

After McCarver and his platoon set up security, they found Marines still inside the flaming vehicle.

McCarver took it upon himself to rescue his own.

"There are just some things that need to be done. This was one of those things that needed to be done," said McCarver, a Memphis, Tenn., native.

Disregarding his own safety, McCarver rushed through enemy fire outside the house to save the downed Marines.

McCarver discovered two Marines dead and his platoon commander severely wounded from rounds that hit during patrol.

"An anti-armor piercing round blew soft tissue off the back of my thigh," Ayres said.

McCarver and his platoon sergeant then took his platoon commander and the downed Marines to safety inside the house.

Over the next hour, McCarver assisted the corpsman in providing first aid, and constantly moved to various locations under fire.

With his own ammunition supply exhausted, McCarver collected ammunition from various positions and continued the assault.

When the quick-reaction force arrived, he secured additional ammunition and provided cover for his Marines to recover the disabled amphibious assault vehicle.

Following the ceremony, the 1st Bn., 5th Marines Battalion Commander Lt. Col Eric M. Smith commented on the heroics of McCarver.

"A Silver Star is what legends are made of - the same stuff Chesty Puller and John Basilone were made of," said Smith.