MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 8, 2007)?Lance Cpl. Juan A. Valdez (left), a mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, shakes hands with Sgt. Jesse E. Leach, the section leader for Mobile Assault Platoon 4, Weapons Co., after receiving a Purple Heart Medal here, June 8. The Boston native credits Leach for saving his life after he was struck by a sniper round while on patrol with his unit in Al Karmah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 8, 2007)?Lance Cpl. Juan A. Valdez (left), a mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, shakes hands with Sgt. Jesse E. Leach, the section leader for Mobile Assault Platoon 4, Weapons Co., after receiving a Purple Heart Medal here, June 8. The Boston native credits Leach for saving his life after he was struck by a sniper round while on patrol with his unit in Al Karmah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.