U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Adams, 4th Marine Division Sergeant Major, congratulates Sgt. Joseph Howard, a Yonkers, New York native and an infantry mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, for being awarded with a Navy and Marine Corps Medal at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2022. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant decoration awarded. On Dec 30, 2017, at the time a lance corporal, Howard witnessed a car collision between four vehicles. Victims were trapped in a vehicle that had flipped eight times over a distance of 300 feet. Howard extracted the two unconscious victims from the car that continued to leak fuel. As he moved the second victim to safety, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and exploded. He then reassessed their injuries and provided life-saving first aid until first responders arrived. By his bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty, Lance Cpl. Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Leslie Alcaraz)

Staff Sgt. Eric Pang, scout sniper platoon sergeant with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, assesses and learns from a course of fire at the Base de Fuzileiros Navais da Ilha do Governador, Brazil, (Brazilian Marine Corps Base on the Ilha do Governador) during a scout sniper assessment June 22, 2023. U.S. Marines with 2/25 and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to increase readiness and interoperability between marine corps. This is one of many events in the U.S. Southern Command that provide training and travel opportunities for Marines in the reserve components.