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Sergeant Receives Bronze Star for Heroism
Defense News ^ | Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Zahn

Posted on 07/01/2006 1:10:40 PM PDT by SandRat

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Mirza Fejzic
Sergeant Receives Bronze Star for Heroism
By Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Zahn
2nd Marine Division
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., June 30, 2006 A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment was awarded the fourth highest military award within the Department of Defense.

Sgt. Mirza Fejzic, a 22-year-old native of Hackettstown, N.J., was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device in a ceremony here, June 22.

He was presented with the award for heroic actions while serving as a squad leader for 3rd Platoon, Company G.

On Oct. 26, 2005, Fejzic and a fire-team from his squad were manning the Iraqi Police station as part of their company’s regular security rotation. The IP station came under heavy fire from approximately 30 insurgents, firing from several different directions.

Fejzic reacted swiftly as bullets and rocket-propelled grenades impacted the building.

“Sgt. Fejzic reacted right away,” said Cpl. Jack E. Smith, the fire-team leader. “We both looked at each other and then he started barking orders, telling people where to go, where to shoot.”

With only five Marines and two Iraqi Army soldiers firing back, Fejzic knew he was severely undermanned. He tried to get the Iraqi Police into the fight, but they protested saying all they had were pistols and the armory holding their rifles was locked.

“I saw him run over and basically kick the door to the armory in trying to get the IPs into the fight, but they still wouldn’t.” said Smith, a 31-year-old native of Tampa, Fla.

Knowing he was dealing with a lost cause, Fejzic concentrated on his Marines and repelling the assault. He raced around the station checking on his Marines, calling for the quick-reaction force and providing suppressing fire.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Mirza Fejzic, a 22-year-old native of Hackettstown, N.J., stands before Maj. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin during Fejzic’s award ceremony. He was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device for heroic actions while serving as a squad leader in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Zahn

“You don’t think about what you should be doing, you just do it,” Fejzic added. “All my training just kicked in, and I got the job done. Now I know why we do things a million times over in training.”

Fejzic, now safely back here with the experience behind him, reflected on receiving the Bronze Star, an award he never thought he would get.

“I was definitely surprised,” he said. “I don’t think I did anything too crazy, I just did my job.”

The experience gave Fejzic the opportunity to do something he had been training for his whole Marine Corps career.

“I had the time of my life,” he added with a smile on his face. “That is every grunts dream, to do something like that with your Marines.”



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: bronze; heroism; receives; sergeant; star

1 posted on 07/01/2006 1:10:42 PM PDT by SandRat
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To: 91B; HiJinx; Spiff; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; TEXOKIE; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...

Marine recieves Bronze Star for Heroism


2 posted on 07/01/2006 1:11:11 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
“I had the time of my life,” he added with a smile on his face. “That is every grunts dream, to do something like that with your Marines."

I like this guy's perspective!

3 posted on 07/01/2006 1:14:30 PM PDT by SIDENET (I like liberals...they taste like CHICKEN.)
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To: SandRat

Personally, I think all the Marines in Iraq deserve the Bronze Star with V device.


4 posted on 07/01/2006 1:57:00 PM PDT by ops33 (Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant)
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To: SandRat
A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment was awarded the fourth highest military award within the Department of Defense.

Nice work, Sergeant, but no. The Bronze Star ranks about 16th in precedence of awards.

5 posted on 07/01/2006 2:09:44 PM PDT by pabianice
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To: pabianice
The Bronze Star ranks about 16th in precedence of awards.

Among combat awards, the Bronze Star ranks fourth, behind the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star.

Among all medals awarded to Marines, the Bronze Star is tenth, behind the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Navy & Marine Corps Medal. Several of these awards (such as the Navy Cross and Navy DSM) have Service equivalents which appear to inflate the number of higher-ranking awards.

6 posted on 07/01/2006 3:40:50 PM PDT by Always A Marine
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To: SandRat
And on Oct. 26, 2005, the Iraqi Police receive the Sen John Murtha "Fight? ME?" award for playing chicken while under fire.

Hope they dumped the lot and now have some IP with a little backbone. I will, however, continue to breath.
7 posted on 07/01/2006 5:28:54 PM PDT by ASOC (The phrase "What if" or "If only" are for children.)
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