Decorated 5th Marines

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0438dfc3.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Golf 2/5 the 5th Marines"><B>Golf 2/5 & the 5th Marines</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="STA 2/5 "><B>STA 2/5 </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gulf War"><B>Gulf War</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Iwo Jima"><B>Iwo Jima</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Korea"><B>Korea</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vietnam"><B>Vietnam</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="War on terrorism"><B>War on terrorism</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="In memory of"><B>In memory of</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My adopted POW/MIAS"><B>My adopted POW/MIA'S</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Shoot"><B>Photo Shoot</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Bio"><B>My Bio</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Favorite Links"><B>Favorite Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Give me a holler"><B>Give me a holler</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Map"><B>Site Map</B></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0448dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>USMCRonbo</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USMCRonbo"><B>home</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>"It's an honor of course, it is just another day in the Marine Corps," </B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0448dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Decorated 5th Marines</I></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="222" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#navy_cross" TITLE="Decorated 5th Marines"><B>Navy Cross</B></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#silver_star" TITLE="Decorated 5th Marines"><B>Silver Star</B></A><B> </B><B> <A NAME="top_of_page"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="83e9dc80.png" border=0 width="157" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><B> <A NAME="navy_cross"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>First Lieutenant Chontosh, Brian R. USMC </B></div> <div> Navy Cross</div> <div> The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the </div> <div> NAVY CROSS to </div> <bR> <div> FIRST LIEUTENANT BRIAN R. CHONTOSH </div> <div> UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS </div> <bR> <div> for service as set forth in the following </div> <bR> <div> CITATION: </div> <bR> <div> For extraordinary heroism as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, 3 Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 25 March 2003. While leading his platoon north on Highway I toward Ad Diwaniyah, First Lieutenant Chontosh’s platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons fire. With coalition tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone. He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, First Lieutenant Chontosh ordered the driver to advance directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy. He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, First Lieutenant Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack. When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, First Lieutenant Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers. When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Sergeant Kraft, Jarret A. USMC </B></div> <div> Navy Cross</div> <div> Sergeant Jarrett A. Kraft</div> <div> U.S. Marine Corps</div> <bR> <div> Citation:</div> <div> The Navy Cross is presented to Jarrett A. Kraft, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, 81-millimeter Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 December 2004. As numerically superior insurgent forces attacked Sergeant Kraft and the Marines in Al Fallujah, Iraq, he quickly organized and fearlessly led three assault forces on three separate attacks to repel the insurgents and ensure the successful advance of the battalion. With complete disregard for his own life, he placed himself between intense enemy fire and the men during each attack providing suppressive fire and leadership to sustain the fight and eliminate the enemy. Although grenades thrown by the insurgents rendered him momentarily unconscious during one assault, this did not dampen his spirit or determination. Undeterred, Sergeant Kraft continued to lead from the front, despite being wounded himself. On two more occasions, he was knocked down stairwells by enemy grenade blasts and finally while emplacing a sniper in a critical location, Sergeant Kraft was knocked down by the blast from a friendly M1A1 tank main gun. He demonstrated courageous leadership with a complete disregard for his own safety, during this desperate two-hour battle as he personally braved multiple enemy small arms kill zones to render assistance and guidance to his Marines. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Kraft reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.</div> <bR> <div> <B>MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (May 3, 2004) -- </B>Marine Sgt. Marcos A. Martinez received the Navy Cross from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon R. England, during a ceremony Monday at 5th Marine Regiment parade deck here.</div> <bR> <div> "These brave Marines did good things without notice," said England, "and without the acclaim of crowds. But they got the acclaim of their fellow Marines."</div> <div> Martinez, 22, a Las Cruces, N.M., native, received the naval service's second highest award for extraordinary heroism while serving as first fire team leader for 2nd squad, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 12, 2003. The Medal of Honor is the highest military award.</div> <bR> <div> A corporal at the time, Martinez responded to a call to reinforce 1st Platoon, which was under attack by enemy forces. Under fire, Martinez deployed his team in supporting positions for a squad assault. </div> <bR> <div> He assumed control after his squad leader was wounded. While other Marines tended to the wounded squad leader, Martinez single-handedly assaulted the building and killed four enemy soldiers with a grenade and his rifle. </div> <bR> <div> "All of the training is what helped me out," said Martinez. "I relied on my training."</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Lance Corporal Perez, Joseph B. USMC </B></div> <div> Navy Cross</div> <div> The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS to </div> <bR> <div> LANCE CORPORAL JOSEPH B. PEREZ </div> <div> UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS </div> <bR> <div> for service as set forth in the following </div> <bR> <div> CITATION:</div> <bR> <div> For extraordinary heroism as Rifleman, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 4 April 2003. While clearing near Route 6 during the advance into Baghdad, 1st Platoon came under intense enemy fire. As the point man for the lead squad and the most exposed member of the platoon, Lance Corporal Perez came under the majority of these fires. Without hesitation, he continuously employed his M16A4 rifle to destroy the enemy while calmly directing accurate fires for his squad. He led the charge down a trench destroying the enemy and while closing and under tremendous enemy fire, threw a grenade into a trench that the enemy was occupying. While under a heavy volume of fire, Lance Corporal Perez fired an AT-4 rocket into a machine gun bunker, completely destroying it and killing four enemy personnel. His actions enabled the squad to maneuver safely to the enemy position and seize it. In an effort to link up with 3d Platoon on his platoon’s left flank, Lance Corporal Perez continued to destroy enemy combatants with precision rifle fire. As he worked his way to the left, he was hit by enemy fire, sustaining gunshot wounds to his torso and shoulder. Despite being seriously injured, Lance Corporal Perez directed the squad to take cover and gave the squad accurate fire direction to the enemy that enabled the squad to reorganize and destroy the enemy. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Perez reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Corporal Workman, Jeremiah W. USMC </B></div> <div> Navy Cross</div> <div> Corporal Jeremiah W. Workman</div> <div> U.S. Marine Corps</div> <bR> <div> Citation:</div> <div> The Navy Cross is presented to Jeremiah W. Workman, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 December 2004. During clearing operations in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Corporal Workman displayed exceptional situational awareness while organizing his squad to enter a building to retrieve isolated Marines inside. Despite heavy resistance from enemy automatic weapons fire, and a barrage of grenades, Corporal Workman fearlessly exposed himself and laid down a base of fire that allowed the isolated Marines to escape. Outside the house, he rallied the rescued Marines and directed fire onto insurgent positions as he aided wounded Marines in a neighboring yard. After seeing these Marines to safety, he led another assault force into the building to eliminate insurgents and extract more Marines. Corporal Workman again exposed himself to enemy fire while providing cover fire for the team when an enemy grenade exploded directly in front of him causing shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs. Corporal Workman continued to provide intense fire long enough to recover additional wounded Marines and extract them from the besieged building. Although injured, he led a third assault into the building, rallying his team one last time to extract isolated Marines before M1A1 tanks arrived to support the battle. Throughout this fight, Corporal Workman's heroic actions contributed to the elimination of 24 insurgents. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Workman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Navy Cross recipients:</B></div> <bR> <div> Sgt. Willie L. Copeland III, team leader 2nd Plt, B Co, 1st Recon Bn, 1st Mar Div</div> <div> 1stSgt. Bradley A. Kasal, Wpns Co 1stSgt. 3/1, 1st Mar Div, I MEF Nov. 14, 2004</div> <div> GySgt. Justin D. Lehew Amphibious Assault Plt Sgt., A Co, 1/2, I MEF March 23 and 24, 2003</div> <div> Cpl. Robert Mitchell Jr, Squad Ldr, K Co, 3/1, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, Nov. 13, 2004</div> <div> Capt. Brent L. Morel, Plt Com 1st Recon Bn, 1st Mar Div, posthumously </div> <div> Sgt. Anthony Viggiani, Squad Ldr, C Co, BLT, 1/6, II MEF, June 3, 2004</div> <bR> <div> <B>Silver Star </B><B> <A NAME="silver_star"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="83ad08a0.png" border=0 width="208" height="138" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>GySgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr, Jr., Silver Star KIA</B> A Co GySgt, 1/5, 1st Mar Div, I MEF</div> <div> Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (May 3, 2004) --<B> </B>Lori Bohr, wife of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr, Jr., who was killed in action April 10, 2003, accepted the Silver Star on behalf of her husband from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon R. England, during a ceremony Monday at 5th Marine Regiment parade deck here.</div> <bR> <div> "These brave Marines did good things without notice," said England, "and without the acclaim of crowds. But they got the acclaim of their fellow Marines."</div> <bR> <div> Bohr, an Ossian, Iowa, native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the Alpha Company gunnery sergeant, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 10, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> With his company assigned the dangerous mission of seizing a presidential palace in Baghdad and concerned that logistical resupply might be slow in reaching his comrades once they reached the objective, Bohr selflessly volunteered to move in his two soft-skinned vehicles with the company's main armored convoy. </div> <bR> <div> While moving through narrow streets toward the objective, the convoy took intense small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Throughout this movement, Bohr delivered accurate, effective fires on the enemy while encouraging his Marines and supplying critical information to his company commander.</div> <bR> <div> When the lead vehicles of the convoy reached the dead end and were subjected to enemy fire, Bohr continued to boldly engage the enemy while calmly maneuvering his Marines to safety. Upon learning of a wounded Marine in a forward vehicle, Bohr immediately coordinated medical treatment and evacuation. </div> <bR> <div> Moving to the position of the injured Marine, Bohr continued to lay down a high volume of suppressive fire, while simultaneously guiding the medical evacuation vehicle, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire.</div> <bR> <div> "I've supported everything he and the Marine Corps does," said Lori Bohr. "This means a lot."</div> <bR> <div> Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. </div> <bR> <div> Ossian, Iowa native, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey E. Bohr Jr., 39, has posthumously received the Silver Star May 3, 2004. His wife, Lori, accepted the medal on her husband's behalf from secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon England during an award ceremony held on Camp Pendleton. Bohr died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in northern Baghdad April 10, 2003. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment out of Camp Pendleton. He was the Alpha Company gunnery sergeant for 1/5. Photo by: Cpl. Luis R. Agostini</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="83608af0.png" border=0 width="264" height="175" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Cpl. Robert P. Kerman, Silver Star </B>rifleman Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, 3/5, 1st Mar Div, I MEF</div> <div> Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (May 6, 2004) -- Marine Cpl. Robert P. Kerman received the Silver Star from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.</div> <bR> <div> Kerman, 21, a Klamath Falls, Ore., native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony. "They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."</div> <bR> <div> "These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.</div> <bR> <div> Kerman exhibited exceptional bravery when the lead elements of the battalion were ambushed with mortars, rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons fire.</div> <bR> <div> As the vehicle he was traveling in drove directly into machine gun fire and into a trench line, Kerman sprang from the vehicle and began assaulting down the enemy occupied trench with two other Marines. As the enemy soldiers fired at him, he fearlessly plunged towards them firing his M16 with lethal accuracy. Continuing to move through the trench he repeatedly came under enemy fire.</div> <bR> <div> Each time he would calmly occupy a steady firing position and take well-aimed shots that had devastating effects in the enemy.</div> <bR> <div> As the group ran out of ammunition, they pressed forward 200 to 300 meters utilizing captured enemy AK-47s. </div> <bR> <div> He showed no regard for his own personal safety, and his actions directly contributed to the successful outcome of the engagement. </div> <bR> <div> "I was pretty scared at the time, but we knew what we had to do and we did it," said Kerman. "I did not expect (the award), maybe I just did the right thing."</div> <bR> <div> Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. </div> <bR> <div> Marine Cpl. Robert P. Kerman received the Silver Star from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony Thursday at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.</div> <bR> <div> Kerman, 21, a Klamath Falls, Ore., native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003. Photo by: Cpl Jeremy Vought</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="83c85c80.png" border=0 width="133" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Cpl. Armand E. McCormick, Silver Star</B> rifleman Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Wpns Co, 3/5, 1st Mar  Div, I MEF</div> <div> Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (May 6, 2004) -- Marine Cpl. Armand E. McCormick, 22, received the Silver Star Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony May 5 at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.</div> <bR> <div> McCormick, a Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> Three other Marines received medals for valor at the same ceremony. "They are the reflection of the Marine Corps type who's service to the Marine Corps and country is held above their own safety and lives," said Gen. Hagee, commenting on the four Marines who received medals during the ceremony. "I'm proud to be here awarding the second highest and third highest awards for bravery to these great Marines."</div> <bR> <div> "These four Marines are a reflection of every Marine and sailor in this great battalion," said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.</div> <bR> <div> Under heavy fire McCormick, a lance corporal at the time, exhibited exceptional bravery when the lead elements of his battalion were ambushed with mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and squad automatic weapons fire. Fearlessly he drove his lightly armored vehicle directly at an enemy machine gun position and purposely crashed it into an occupied trench line. </div> <bR> <div> With the initial breach of the enemy defense now gained for his unit, he sprang from the vehicle and began assaulting the berm and ambush line with two Marines. Taking direct fire, and outnumbered, he pressed forward, firing his M9 pistol at enemy forces. Moving through the trench, he repeatedly came under enemy fire, each time </div> <div> calmly taking well-aimed shots. As the group ran low on ammunition, he collected enemy rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade and continued to press the attack forward several hundred meters. As a follow-on company began to make their entrance into the berm, he returned to his vehicle and backed it out of the trench. McCormick's boldly aggressive actions greatly reduced the enemy's ability to inflict casualties on the rest of his battalion.</div> <bR> <div> "It's an honor of course, it is just another day in the Marine Corps," said McCormick. </div> <bR> <div> "I ready to go it again and help out with the situation," he said about redeploying to Iraq. Consequently, McCormick will be redeploying to Iraq Friday.</div> <bR> <div> "To me I did what I was suppose to do, I did what was expected," he added. </div> <bR> <div> Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. </div> <bR> <div> Marine Lance Cpl. Armand E. McCormick, 22, received the Silver Star Medal from the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, during an awards ceremony May 5 at Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. McCormick, a Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving </div> <div> as rifleman for Combined Anti-Armor Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 25, 2003. Photo by: Cpl. Jeremy Vought</div> <bR> <div> MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2005) --<B> </B>“ He led from the front,” said 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Bn. commander Lt. Col. Craig S. Kaczynski during <B>Capt. Patrick M. Rapicault</B>’s Silver Star ceremony Dec. 2.</div> <div> Rapicault assumed command of Weapons Company, 2nd Bn. 5th Marines during his deployment to Iraq while they were in contact with the enemy on 24 September 2004. </div> <div> As company commander, Rapicault led his Marines through 50 firefights and 27 improvised explosive device ambushes between the time he took command of the unit and until he was killed Nov. 15, 2004. </div> <div> For his gallantry, Rapicault was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for combat valor.</div> <div> His wife, Vera Rapicault, accepted the award on his behalf during the ceremony at 5th Marines memorial park located in Camp San Mateo.</div> <div> According to the citation, he directed the fire and maneuver of his company with complete disregard to his own personal safety. </div> <div> Despite being the first Marine wounded in his Battalion and his company suffering the heaviest casualties during the street fighting, Captain Rapicault always displayed an infectious enthusiasm that motivated every Marine to fight hard and recover quickly from battle. </div> <div> On every mission, Captain Rapicault’s intuitive and calm combat leadership ensured success on the battlefield, which limited damage to vehicles and friendly casualties. </div> <div> Also according to the citation, He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom. </div> <div> “I was 200 meters away when he passed. It was hard because he was ‘that man’,” remembered 1st Lt. Shawn M. Maurer, an infantry officer who served with Rapicault in Iraq.</div> <div> “My fondest memory of him was his courage, you could see it in his eyes. I could look in his eyes and everything was going to be okay because he was the best Marine Corps officer I’ve ever served with,” Maurer said.</div> <div> Rapicault’s heroics not only affected his Marines but also reached Marines throughout the 1st Marine Division.</div> <div> First Marine Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Richard F. Natonski said “We were blessed not only as a country and Marine Corps, but also as 1st Marine Division to have a leader like Capt. Rapicault” during the humble ceremony. </div> <div> Natonski said Rapicault would never be forgotten. </div> <div> “He is as alive today as the day he died,” said Lt. Col. Randall P. Newman, former commanding officer of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines. “He is truly the backbone of what the corps is today. His memory goes on forever.”</div> <bR> <div> MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2005) -- <B>First Lt. Christopher D. Ayre</B>s and possibly 13 more Marines from his platoon would not be alive today had it not been for the heroic and selfless actions of Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Sagredo.</div> <div> The 37-year-old from Lansing, Mich., was awarded the Silver Star during a ceremony here Nov. 30.</div> <div> “We were all caught in a pretty bad situation,” said Ayres, the platoon commander of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. “It’s hard to put in words just how thankful I am for what he did that day.”</div> <div> On the morning of April 13, 2004, elements of 2nd Platoon became isolated deep in enemy territory after pursuing the insurgents that were firing harassing shots earlier that morning.</div> <div> “There were 13 Marines in an (Assault Amphibious Vehicle) heading down a narrow road in the middle of Fallujah (Iraq),” recalled platoon sergeant with Company B Sagredo. “We started taking rounds and one pierced the engine, slowing down the (AAV) and drenching the Marines inside with oil and hydraulic fluid.”</div> <div> Realizing the dire nature of the situation, Sagredo urged the AAV crewmembers to push the vehicle as far as it could go while taking heavy small-arms fire with rocket-propelled grenades.</div> <div> “If we would have stopped there, we would not be here today,” Sagredo said.</div> <div> Before evacuating the AAV, Sagredo spotted a nearby house and ordered the Marines to take cover in there and lay down suppressing fire. Sagredo himself stayed put in the AAV to ensure all Marines were out of the burning AAV.</div> <div> Sagredo exposed himself to the enemy in order to move wounded Ayres from the AAV to the safety of the house.</div> <div> “(Sagredo) is my hero,” said Renee Ayres. “He doesn’t admit it but he is.”</div> <div> Despite continuous rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, Sagredo moved from position to position to establish radio contact with the quick reaction force, according to his award citation. His leadership and calm demeanor under fire reassured the Marines and inspired them as they ran low on ammunition, said the citation. </div> <div> The citation said Sagredo’s perseverance was instrumental in gaining radio contact and directing the quick reaction force to his position. Once the reaction force arrived, Sagredo moved with complete disregard for his own safety until his platoon commander was evacuated, the AAV recovered, and all forces moved to safe positions.</div> <div> “A lot of Marines out there have done so much more than me,” Sagredo said. “All we did was go in and do our jobs as we were trained while trying to get everyone out alive.”</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="83894de0.png" border=0 width="148" height="222" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>SSgt. Adam R. Sikes, Silver Star </B>Plt Sgt 1st Plt, G Co, 2/5, 1st Mar Div, I MEF</div> <div> Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton,<B> </B>Calif. (May 3, 2004) -- Marine Staff Sgt. Adam R. Sikes received the Silver Star from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon R. England, during a ceremony Monday at 5th Marine Regiment parade deck here.</div> <bR> <div> "These brave Marines did good things without notice," said England, "and without the acclaim of crowds. But they got the acclaim of their fellow Marines."</div> <bR> <div> Sikes, 27, an Aliso Viejo, Calif., native, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 12, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> During the At Tarmiyah Battle, located 30 kilometers north of Baghdad, Sike's platoon was pinned down by heavy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the opening moments of the fight. </div> <bR> <div> Sikes quickly rallied two of his squads and set them into position to suppress the enemy and prepare them to counterattack. With the squads already in position, Sikes charged across 70 meters of fire-swept ground alone to close in on the first enemy strongpoint, which he cleared with a grenade and his rifle. </div> <bR> <div> Moving to the roof of a three-story building exposed to enemy fire, Sikes adjusted 60-millimeter mortar rounds onto nearby enemy reinforcement positions. The rounds isolated the town from enemy reinforcement and decimated an enemy position in the nearby tree line. After learning that his other squad had taken casualties, he signaled an assault amphibious vehicle and directed their evacuation while under a hail of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. "It was a very intense moment," said Sikes. "You don't consider what's going on in the world when everything explodes around you. You want to take care of the Marines to the left and right of you."</div> <bR> <div> Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. </div> <bR> <div> Aliso Viejo, Calif., native, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Adam R. Sikes, 27, received the Silver Star May 3, 2004. Sikes received the medal from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon England, during an awards ceremony held on Camp Pendleton. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment out of Camp Pendleton. He was the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2/5.</div> <div> Photo by: Cpl. Luis R. Agostini</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="83493dd0.png" border=0 width="147" height="221" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Cpl. Timothy C. Tardif, Silver Star </B>2nd squad leader, 1st Plt, G Co, 2/5, 1st Mar Div, I MEF</div> <div> Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (May 3, 2004) -- Marine Cpl. Timothy C. Tardif received the Silver Star from the Secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon R. England, during a ceremony Monday at 5th Marine Regiment parade deck here.</div> <bR> <div> "These brave Marines did good things without notice," said England, "and without the acclaim of crowds. But they got the acclaim of their fellow Marines."</div> <bR> <div> Tardif, 22, a Huntington Beach, Calif., resident, received the military's third-highest award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as these 2nd squad leader, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 12, 2003.</div> <bR> <div> During the At Tarmiyah Battle, located 30 kilometers north of Baghdad, Tardif and his squad reinforced his platoon, which was pinned down in a violent enemy crossfire ambush.</div> <bR> <div> Immediately assessing the situation, he directed Marines to return fire into enemy positions in a town. He identified the location of the enemy, and determined the precise point in which to assault the enemy.</div> <bR> <div> Tardif then charged across a road under intense small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, inspiring his Marines to follow his example. Engaged in an intense close-quarters battle, he received shrapnel wounds from an enemy grenade. Tardif refused medical attention and continued leading his squad in an assault on an enemy-held compound. </div> <bR> <div> After securing the compound, Tardif egressed on order and led his reinforced squad in a fighting withdrawal. Tardif collapsed after traveling 150 meters from wounds suffered during fighting.</div> <bR> <div> "This award means a lot to me, personally," said Tardif. "But it's not just about me. It's about my platoon and everyone else out there."</div> <bR> <div> Established in 1918, the Silver Star is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. </div> <bR> <div> Huntington Beach, Calif., native, Marine Corps Cpl. Timothy C. Tardif, 22, has received the Silver Star May 3, 2004. He accepted the medal from secretary of the Navy, Honorable Gordon England during an award ceremony held on Camp Pendleton. Tardif recieved the Silver Star from actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during fighting north of Baghdad April 12, 2003. He was assigned as 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton.</div> <div> Photo by: Cpl. Luis R. Agostini</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Marine and Navy Silver Star recipients:</B></div> <bR> <div> Sgt. Jarred L. Adams, scout sniper, 1/7, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, Jan, 2005</div> <div> Sgt. Leandro Baptista, 1st Recon Bn, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, April 7, 2004</div> <div> Capt. Christoper J. Bronzi, CO, G Co, 2/4, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, 6 to 7 April 2004 </div> <div> 1st Lt. Thomas E. Cogan, platoon commander for E Co, BLT, 2/4, 31st MEU, June 9, 2005 </div> <div> Sgt. Timothy Connors, Squad Leader, 2d Plt, A Co, 1/8, RCT 7, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, Nov. 10-15, 2004.</div> <div> LCpl. Carlos Gomez-Perez ,Fire team Ldr, E Co, 2/1, I MEF. April 26, 2004</div> <div> 1st Lt. Jeffery Lee, 3rd Plt Com, Co A, 2nd Tank Bn, w/A Co, 1/8 2nd Mar Div, II MEF, Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, 2004</div> <div> Pfc. Daniel B. McClenney, 3/6, 2nd Mar Div, Camp Lejeune, N.C. June 24, 2004 <B>KIA</B></div> <div> Sgt. Scott C. Montoya, Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2/23, 1st Mar Div, I MEF, 8 April 2003.</div> <div> PO 2nd Class Juan M. Rubio, 4th Plt, Small Craft Co, 1st Mar Div, I MEF Jan. 1, 2005</div> <div> 1st Lt. Brian M. Stann,  2nd Mobile Assault Plt Ldr Wpns Co, 3/2, 2nd Mar Div, II MEF, May 8 to 14, 2005</div> <div> Sgt. David N. Wimberg, Marine Forces Reserve's 3/25, 4th Mar Div, Columbus, Ohio. May 25, 2005 <B>KIA</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="520" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#top_of_page" TITLE="Decorated 5th Marines"><B>Top of page</B></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Content"><B>Content</B></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="USMCRonbo"><B>Home</B></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Medal of Honor"><B>Next</B></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Silver Star"><B>Back</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <IMG SRC="http://members.tripod.com/bin/counter/id137.htm?00FF00" ALT="[Tripod Counter]">  </B></div> </td> </tr></table></body>