U.S. Marine receives Vanguard Award for acts in Africa

This year's Fourth of July weekend held special meaning for a Cape Girardeau woman.

Laverne McNeely recently spent a weekend in Denver, Colo., where she had the opportunity to see her son Christopher honored as a hero.

Christopher was awarded the Vanguard Award for his efforts in trying to save a friend, and endangering his own life, while stationed in Africa.

On Dec. 23, 2000, while serving as the detachment commander in Niamey, Niger, for the U.S. Marine Corps, McNeely was shot at point-blank range by a man while trying to rescue a fellow soldier.

McNeely and several other members of the American embassy community were attending a farewell party. After the event, while proceeding to his vehicle, McNeely heard gunfire. He saw one of the embassy employees lying beside their vehicle. McNeely immediately ran to the injured American and saw two armed men.

Man with AK-47

McNeely was unarmed and yelled at the men to take the vehicle, while at the same time attempting to drag the wounded man to safety. A man with an AK-47 then aimed his weapon at McNeely and the other Americans, and fired. The other American was mortally wounded, and McNeely was shot in the right arm. Most of his right elbow had been removed because of the gunfire, but still McNeely continued to try to protect the other American.

The assailants stole the car and fled. Despite his own injuries, McNeely performed first aid on his injured friend until help arrived.

McNeely was then evacuated to Army Medical Center in Landsthul, Germany, and later to National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

He is currently stationed in Norway, with his wife and two children. He is married to the former Lisa Lemons of Jackson, Mo. Their children are Kenda, 10, and Cassidy 7.

Laverne McNeely says she could not be more proud of her son.

"He really is a hero," she said.