>> i received seven gunshot wounds and then grenade shrapnel, fragmentation, all over the entire body from a grenade. ( explosion ) >> reporter: sergeants major bradley kasal had charged into a building because he heard other trines were trapped inside. >> there was about a dozen other marines that all rushed to that building. we were all pretty equally committed to make a difference and save those marines inside. >> reporter: he won't talk about what he did in there. but the citation for the navy cross he received says he threw himself on top of another marine to absorb the blast of a grenade. >> for the almost two hours that i was inside that room, i knew without a doubt that somehow i would make it out. ( explosion ) i had that much trust and confidence in those other marines that were around me that served with me. >> reporter: the photo inspired a sculpture by a father who lost his son in iraq. in addition to the navy cross, kasal wears a chest full of medals including two purple hearts.