CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A Camp Pendleton Marine received a Silver Star Friday, the nation's third-highest award for combat valor, for his bravery and life-saving actions during a firefight in Iraq last summer.

The commanding officer of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion presented Lance Cpl. Moses Cardenas with the citation during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton.

Cardenas earned the honor by coming to the aid of a wounded fellow Marine on Aug. 2, according to Marine Corps officials.

Disregarding his own safety, the lance corporal left a sheltered position, fought his way across fire-swept open desert and rescued the downed serviceman under heavy enemy fire, despite suffering a gunshot wound to his neck.

Cardenas saved the wounded Marine's life by dragging him more than 100 yards while returning fire, then rendering first-aid until medics arrived, according to a statement from Camp Pendleton's public affairs office.