Print:

Reconnaissance Marine awarded Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Patrolling between a tree line and a row of buildings, Staff Sgt. Timothy Williams and his squad heard the sharp cracks of rifles and immediately realized they were being ambushed. Outnumbered and under heavy enemy fire, Williams, a section leader with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, found himself relying on his instincts and training to protect himself and his Marines. Williams, a native of Hudson, Mich., received the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his actions that day during an award ceremony held at Camp Las Flores here, Jan. 7. Click here to read more

Female Marine enters pro MMA with 20 sec knockout

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The night air vibrated with energy as Sgt. Misha Nassiri and her opponent entered the ring. They stared each other down while the referee addressed the basic rules of the match. The ring’s entrance was locked, the ref shouted “fight,” and violent roars shot from the audience as the fighters closed in on each other with violent swiftness. The opponents tapped gloves and the mayhem commenced. Click here to read more

Recon Marine achieves higher education in midst of combat deployment

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The temperature rises to more than 100 degrees in Ramadi, Iraq, as a Marine puts on his gear and prepares for another day of patrolling. Just a few hours ago he had been taking an exam for a college level history class, now he must switch his mindset from academics to combat. Even with the numerous stresses brought on by a combat environment, Sgt. Charles Swope, a team leader with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, earned his master’s degree in Business Administration during three combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Click here to read more

Geronimo Battalion seizes Urban Operations town

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – “Set,” yelled a fire team leader as he waited outside a doorway, rifle at the ready position. The Marine behind him grabbed his shoulder and gave him the command, “go.” The four-man team rushed into the building. The squad moved rapidly through the halls and collected a door. They burst into the room killed the enemy who shot at them moments earlier. The building was cleared and the squad moved to the next one. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, trained for Urban Operations here, Jan. 9. The Marines practiced patrolling through a town, clearing buildings and breaching doors while their instructors posed as an enemy force inside the rooms. Click here to read more

Marine goes above and beyond, earns Marine of the Quarter

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Private First Class Maurice Battle, a food service specialist with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a 22-year-old native of Cortez, Colo., earned the title of Marine of the Quarter for Regional Command (Southwest), Jan. 15, 2014. The Marine of the Quarter is a title earned by a Marine who stands out amongst their peers of privates, privates first class and lance corporals. Click here to read more

Marine’s leadership helps earn combat meritorious promotion

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHUKVANI, Afghanistan –A leader is someone capable of setting an example for others to emulate and who strives for excellence. Every Marine is a leader, but one Marine serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stood out among his peers and earned a combat meritorious promotion. A combat meritorious promotion is a means to recognize a Marine for uncommon valor in a combat environment, said Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, sergeant major, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines. It doesn’t mean the Marine is constantly in combat. He can be supporting the combat arms and emit that same valor. Click here to read more

Opening ceremony begins Exercise Iron Fist

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducted the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Jan. 23. Iron Fist is a bilateral training event designed to increase amphibious capabilities and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. Click here to read more

1st MarDiv CG awards ‘1st Tanks’ Marines

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines with 1st Tank Battalion were recognized for their heroism, sacrifice and dedication to duty with two Navy and Marine Corps Medals, a Bronze Star with combat-distinguishing device and a Purple Heart Medal at the unit’s tank ramp, Jan. 21, 2014. Maj. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general, 1st Marine Division, presented Navy and Marine Corps Medals to Cpl. Matthew Gonzales, tank crewman, Company A, 1st Tanks, and Sgt. Asturo Zavala Jr., tank gunner, Co. A, 1st Tanks. Nicholson also presented a Bronze Star to Capt. Christopher Ashinhurst, company commander, Company D, 1st Tanks, and finished with a Purple Heart to Sgt. Fredy Esquivel, tank crewman, Company C, 1st Tanks. Click here to read more

Video:

1st Marine Regiment celebrates 100th anniversary

1st Marine Regiment celebrates their 100th anniversary at a reception for past members of the regiment, including former commanding officers and sergeants major. Colonel Peter Baumgarten, commanding officer, 1st Marine Regiment, discusses the history of the regiment and the connection between current and past Marines. Available in high definition. Click here to watch