Manning an observation point at the combat outpost, the 23-year-old infantryman saw the speeding truck break through the base’s protective barriers. Globis opened fire on the vehicle, which was loaded with hundreds of pounds of explosives, and warned others to take cover – acts which many here said saved their lives.

Globis, a team leader assigned to the Hawaii-based Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, said he knew the truck was a suicide bomber as soon as it turned a corner and attempted to drive through the outpost’s protective barriers. "I only had a few seconds to act, so I fired four shots through the windshield as soon as he crashed through the first protective barrier," said Globis, a native of Winthrop Harbor, Ill. "When the truck stopped, I warned all the Marines and soldiers to move as far away from the front of the building as possible."

Globis’ determinations were soon confirmed - the truck detonated and part of the roof of the outpost collapsed. No Marines or soldiers were killed because they had time to move away, avoiding the brunt of the blast, thanks to Globis’ warning. However, Globis, a 2002 graduate of Zion Benton High School, refuses to take credit for saving the Marines and soldiers that day because he "was just doing what any Marine would have done in that situation."

Staff Sgt. Richard Charley, 29, disagreed and said that many Marines and soldiers are still alive because of his quick thinking. "Globis saved several peoples’ lives that day," said Charley, a platoon sergeant. "He eliminated the driver of that vehicle before he could penetrate further into the compound and completely destroy the building."

Now he spends his days training Iraqi soldiers – who are making notable progress as they continue to move towards operating independent of his unit’s support, he said. "The soldiers are stepping up and taking charge when we are on patrol," said Globis. "They want to succeed."

"Ahmed," a soldier who was slightly injured in the blast from the suicide bomber said Globis is a great leader and motivates the soldiers to fight the insurgency. He also said that he is alive today because Globis saved his life that day. "I would have been killed if Globis did not give that warning," said Ahmed. "Marines like Globis have earned our loyalty and respect and we feel privileged to fight alongside them."