Posted on 03/08/2006 4:58:59 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Mar. 8, 2006) -- The conference room was packed with Marine leaders with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment there to witness the battalions operations officer receive a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations.
Maj. Paul C. Merida, from Oakland, Calif., was awarded the medal for his achievements as the battalions operations officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2005 in the Fallujah area of Iraq.
The 1994 graduate of the University of California-Davis initially planned and supervised the execution of a turnover with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines allowing the battalion to assume control of the area, a 300 square kilometer battle space, five days ahead of schedule.
Merida also balanced operational requirements and employed a wide range of resources, which included four Iraqi Security Force battalions and managed combat operations across their area of operation.
He established and planned the manning of four entry control points and one exit control point denying the enemy access into Fallujah.
The battalion conducted more than 4,050 cordon and searches, 17 battalion operations and captured over 450 suspected insurgents with his planning and supervision.
This was Meridas second Bronze Star Medal, the first he received as a company commander in Afganistan. He explained the difference between the two awards.
My first Bronze Star was awarded because of direct actions under fire as opposed to the actual planning of operations and command element, he explained.
Now that Merida has four deployments under his belt, he is scheduled to leave for the Basic School in Quantico, Va., to continue spreading his knowledge of war fighting.
After receiving the award, Merida explained how it felt to be recognized for his achievements.
This was definitely a huge honor to receive this award today and I wont forget this, he said as he shook hands with fellow leaders of the battalion.
Marine Awarded 2nd Bronze Star
Awesome! Semper Fi, Major.
Thank you for your service, Marine.
One can't help but wonder: if John F'n Kerry won a Silver Star for killing one enemy combatant, shouldn't Major Merida at least be up for a Navy Cross?
Great Americans.
Merida also balanced operational requirements and employed a wide range of resources, which included four Iraqi Security Force battalions and managed combat operations across their area of operation.
As a former Marine, I take exception to officers being awarded the Bronze Star Medal (even without a V device) for doing the administrative duties they were expected to do in an assigned billet. If they did a really exceptional executive-managerial job in their posting, it should be remarked upon in their periodic Fitness Report and that should be an adequate reward. It seems to me that too many officers are being awarded the Bronze Star medal as a way of getting their "ticket punched" viz Viet Nam. (/rant)
PS: Today, the 8th of March 2006, is the 41st Anniversary of the day the Ninth Marines Expeditionary Force landed in force at China Beach. Semper Fi, guys.
BTTT
Thank you. Same problem in the Army. I know far more people without the V than with.
Agree. But the major knows the difference and will let folks know.
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