HAVERHILL - It was like a scene from a movie.

Bullets were flying everywhere, pinning down a group of Marines. They had little protection, except for a few sandbags to huddle behind.

Suddenly, one of them emerged from the group, climbing onto the roof of a nearby building and risking his life. He gained a vantage point where he directed his fellow Marines to return fire. That ended the Iraqi attack and saved the Marines from injury or even death.

But this was real life for Cyle Burton, 28, of Haverhill, a 1998 graduate of Pentucket Regional High School. For his heroic actions, the Marine staff sergeant will receive one of the most prestigious awards given by the U.S. military. He will be honored with the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership and bravery - the fourth-highest combat award given in the U.S. armed forces.

"They usually only give this for exceptional performance in combat," said Michael Ingham, Haverhill veterans services agent. "This is the first one I've heard about lately. He kept cool under heavy fire, and he saved lives. That's pretty extraordinary."

Burton heard this week that he will receive the award.

"I was just doing my job," Burton said yesterday, reflecting on his engagement with the enemy in June of last year.

"The whole seven months I was there I was in a combat area," he said of his time in Iraq. "You're getting shot at every day."

He said he understands he will receive the award this week or next at Camp Pendleton. He also will receive the Combat Distinguishing Device.

Military officials say that during the attack, Burton charged across the roof of a building near Mudiqu, Iraq, in the face of intense enemy fire. He was able to gain a vantage point from which he directed his squad of 20 Marines to return fire - which effectively ended the attack and likely saved lives.

Back home in Haverhill, his father, Gary Burton of Haverhill, a foreman for the city's Water Department, was calmly overseeing the operations of the city's water distribution system.

"I knew he was involved in combat operations, but I didn't know to what extent," Gary Burton said. "I didn't find out until months later as to how terrible the battle was that he was involved in. I'm not surprised at the way he responded in battle. He's always been a level-headed kid. He's not one to lose control."

In his youth, Cyle Burton attended Haverhill public schools, including the Smiley and Walnut Square elementary schools, and Whittier Middle School.

"My grandfather Alfred Burton was in World War II and Korea," Cyle Burton said. "He was awarded two Bronze Stars."

During the June battle, additional enemy small arms fire came from positions north and south of Burton and his men. Recognizing that weapons fire from the high ground to the south was the more immediate threat, Burton grabbed an M240G machine gun and silenced the enemy fire. Thirty minutes later the insurgents fled the area.

The next morning the enemy attacked again, only in greater numbers. Burton and his men had little cover for protection, other than scattered sandbags and camouflage netting. Rocket propelled grenades struck the building they were on, and enemy machine gun fire was coming from several directions.

Burton's heroics didn't end on the second day of the attack. On June 10, 2006, a desperate enemy returned in force to try to drive his Marines out. Rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire were hurtled in Burton's direction.

Help was on the way in the form of fixed-wing aircraft loaded with bombs. Burton tried to mark the enemy positions for the pilots to see by launching smoke bombs in the enemy's direction, but it wasn't effective. So he focused his M240G machine gun with tracer bullets on their positions, which proved a better mark for the inbound aircraft. The enemy attack was thwarted due to Burton's quick thinking and ingenuity.

Later, on June 12, the enemy attacked again, employing a "suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device." Burton was knocked off his feet, and four of his men were wounded. A firefight ensued as Burton raced around trying to evacuate his injured Marines while directing defensive fire at the enemy - once again causing them to flee the area.

Burton joined the Marines in 1998 and is a staff sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division. He is married and lives in Southern California with his wife, Lynn.

Gary Burton said he and Cyle's mother, Debra Burton of Salem, N.H., are very proud of their son's accomplishments.

"When I learned about the award I felt proud, and somewhat relieved as he came real close to being harmed," Gary Burton said. "I think Cyle is more proud of the fact that he brought all his Marines back."

Cyle Burton says he plans to return to Iraq this fall for another seven-month tour of duty.

"I definitely want to go back," he said, "and I expect to be in a combat situation again."