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Gary Adlesperger's love for and pride in his late son, Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Adlesperger, has nothing to do with medals, commendations or campaign ribbons.

Adlesperger, of Albuquerque, said he was always proud of his son - even before Christopher joined the Marines; before his heroic efforts saved the lives of fellow Marines during a fierce firefight in November 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq; before the 20-year-old Marine was killed in December 2004 during another combat mission in Fallujah.

Still, Adlesperger said he was gratified to learn recently that his son had been awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest award for valor. That means the younger Adlesperger will not receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for military heroism.

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"I am proud," his father said during a phone interview Friday. "Not too many people get the Navy Cross."

Adlesperger said family members will gather soon - probably early next month - at the Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to attend ceremonies recognizing Christopher with the medal.

Lance Cpl. Adlesperger, a 2003 Eldorado High graduate, had been considered for the Medal of Honor, America's highest accolade for military heroism and, therefore, the hardest to get.

Since the first Medals of Honor were presented in 1863, about 3,500 have been awarded.

Adlesperger was awarded the Navy Cross because his actions fit the criteria for that medal more than the Medal of Honor, said Lt. Esteban Vickers, a spokesman for Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Division.

"It was decided by the awards branch and through the process that it was the appropriate level of award," Vickers said. "This is a very heroic award."

A Navy Cross may be presented to any member of the armed forces serving with the Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard who distinguishes himself or herself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

It generally takes at least two years after the action before high-level awards like the Navy Cross or Medal of Honor are determined, Vickers said.

"The higher level award, the longer it takes," Vickers said.

Certainly, Christopher Adlesperger's actions were extraordinarily heroic.

On Nov. 10, 2004, in Fallujah, Adlesperger, a private at the time, killed at least 11 heavily armed enemy Iraqi combatants using his M-16 and grenade launcher to lay down a withering fire that is credited with shielding two wounded comrades from additional harm and likely saving the lives of others as well.

When the fight was done, Adlesperger's face had been bloodied by shrapnel and his uniform ripped by bullets.

For his action that day, Adlesperger was promoted to lance corporal on Thanksgiving weekend 2004 and considered for an award for heroism.

But on Dec. 9, 2004, he was killed while leading a sweep through a Fallujah neighborhood. It was reported that multiple rounds hit Adlesperger's flak vest, spinning him around and leaving him vulnerable to a bullet that struck him in an unprotected area on his side and plunged into his heart.

During a November interview with The Tribune, Gary Adlesperger said it meant more that his son's commanding officers thought enough of him to nominate him for an award recognizing his bravery than if Christopher actually received the Medal of Honor.

Now that Christopher has been awarded the Navy Cross, Gary said he is proud, as he always has been.

But, as he said in November, he'd rather have his son alive than any medal, ribbon or commendation.