A Marine just millimetres from death as a bullet whistled past his head had the moment of his miraculous survival caught in a dramatic series of pictures.
Under fire from Taliban fighters on the Afghan frontline, the American solider shelters in a muddy trench baked dry in the Helmand province's searing heat.
The moment the solider from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit cheated death was caught on camera.
The moment the U.S. Marine came under fire from Taliban fighters: First, the impact showers the Marine in debris before he ducks deep into the trench
The unit were engaged in a brutal exchange of fire with Afghan insurgents near the town of Garmser.
As the bullet hits the top of the trench it sends up a cloud of dust and rock.
Recoiling in horror the Marine ducks deep into the ditch in a desperate bid to protect himself.
The shocked soldier the lies sprawled on the floor of the trench.
In a life saving stroke of luck the Taliban bullet missed the Marine, who was not injured during his terrifying ordeal.
Um abraço e t+