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CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Dec. 3, 2005) -- Holding an AN/PRC-119 field radio to his ear, a Marine communicates with the lead vehicle about the status of the convoy. Whether it’s providing communication for convoys or units inside the wire, field radio operators directly contribute to the success of the Marine Corps mission while in Iraq. Lance Cpl. John A. McLaughlin, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), routinely ensures Marines within his unit have continuous radio accessibility. “Being a radio operator I also make sure convoys have [communication],” McLaughlin said. “Without Communication the mission would be virtually...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Dec. 01, 2005) -- Marines often go unrecognized for the jobs they do. The faithful service, self-sacrifice, and adaptability in tough situations often go unseen. Marines don’t fight for recognition. They fight for freedom and strive to keep the band of brothers they left with safe, so they can all return home together. Corporal Matthew D. Palacios of Lorain, Ohio, is a prime example that these good deeds do not go unnoticed. The combat engineer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat distinguishing device here Nov. 22...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 21, 2005) -- Every Marine goes through stressful situations in the Marine Corps. Sometimes its life altering circumstances that can make or break a career. Marines are forced to reach within themselves and find a strength they thought was lost. Whether a Marine’s down, he’s definitely never out for the count. For Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Amstutz of Payne, Ohio, who sustained injury while deployed fighting the Global War on Terrorism, the future is still very bright. Amstutz, an assaultman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom...

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, RAMADI, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2005) -- Sergeant Mohamed S. Salim moved from Guyana to Queens, NY when he was 15 years-old to make a better life for himself and to join the rest of his family. At 27, Salim is again trying to make a better life, only it’s for someone else. Salim is a platoon sergeant with the camp’s guard force. Since his arrival in late August, Salim has conducted nearly 100 patrols through the streets of Ar Ramadi that surround the camp here. “Most of the people I’ve met here are pretty good people,” Salim...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 18. 2005) -- A North Brunswick, N.J. native and commanding officer of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division received the Bronze Star Medal at a ceremony here. Captain Christopher S. Ieva, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy received the award for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. During Operation Matador, Marines destroyed enemy strongholds north of the Euphrates River, in the city of Ubaydi, Iraq. From May 8 to May 14, Ieva achieved battle momentum that...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 16, 2005) -- An Athens, Ga. native was presented the Purple Heart Medal here Nov. 10 for wounds received in combat in Iraq. Lance Cpl. John T. Shepard, a 31-year-old boat mechanic formerly with Small Craft Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and several members of his unit had been conducting a foot patrol through Ramadi’s streets in August when they were ambushed by several insurgents. The capital city of western Iraq’s Al Anbar province is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Baghdad, and has been a focal point of resistance against U.S....

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 16, 2005) -- America has been a haven for people to build a path for fulfilling their dreams. The Marine Corps has given one Marine a stone to begin. Lance Cpl. Joon-Hyun Ryu, 20, was born in Korea, but moved to the United States with his mother to grasp the opportunities available in America. “My parents wanted me to have a better opportunity for education,” said Ryu, a refrigeration mechanic assigned to 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD). “I started learning the alphabet on the plane to America.” Ryu, a reserve Marine, said he...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2005) -- A Freehold, N.J., native was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received during combat operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Lance Cpl. John Myslinski, 27, a Marine with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division received the medal for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq back in June. The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington in Newburgh, New York, on Aug. 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War later awarded to servicemember who was wounded by direct result of enemy action. While Myslinski, a 1996 Freehold Borough High School...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- Staff Sgt. Jason P. Bennett and his fellow Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment frequently conduct patrols of the villages in their area of operations. During these patrols, the Marines and the 30-year-old provisional platoon commander for 4th Platoon, Company G, locate the local leaders at each village and discuss the concerns and needs of their community. Bennett and his Marines completed a number of these operations from Sept. 6 through the 8. “We come to the small areas a lot to see what we can provide for the locals,” said the...

BARWANA, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- Being an infantryman and standing security posts go hand in hand when in Iraq. While some are in security positions and others are regulating traffic, these posts are an important part of keeping Marines safe here. Standing many hours on these posts keeping his fellow Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, safe is Los Angeles native, Lance Cpl. Steve Nuno. The automatic rifleman spends hours everyday manning the entry control point and other security position at the base here. His job while spending time on these mostly uneventful posts is to...

BARWANA, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- Just days after Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment arrived here, an early morning patrol left their firm base Oct. 26 to learn more about the community. Corporal Ralph E. Arzate of Victorville, Calif. led the census patrol from house to house as they gathered basic information about each family in the community. Arzate, some Marines with the company, and an interpreter went to each house in a three-block area, meeting the people and gathering information like names, the number of people in the family, weapons in the house, occupations and vehicles they...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 8, 2005) -- While deployed to Iraq, many Marines of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, will unfortunately miss important family events that happen only once a year or perhaps once in a lifetime. But one Marine, Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Hutchison, a combat cameraman with the battalion, was fortunate enough to see one of the most important events in his life, his first child being born, via video transmitted across the World Wide Web. He received some help from the hospital and fellow deployed Marines, allowing him to see the birth shortly after the actual event....

AL KHAFFAJIYAH, Iraq (Nov. 8, 2005) -- While many Marines use the cover of darkness to secretly infiltrate and secure cities and towns across Iraq, Lance Cpl. Pedro L. Rangel is doing his best to be seen and heard. The 21-year-old, Merrillville, Ind., native, with Regimental Combat Team 2, uses a mobile loud speaker to blare messages to local Iraqis once coalition forces have entered a city. “A lot of times we’ll sneak into a town late at night when everyone is sleeping so no one knows we’re there.” Rangel said. “But early the next morning, I’m usually out and...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 07, 2005) -- When Marines encounter tough situations, they can fall back on training, but basic preparation sometimes isn’t enough. A Marine’s survival instinct combined with combat training could make a Marine an effective force in any situation. Sergeant Anthony J. Gantt of Miami is a prime example of an effectively trained Marine and he was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat distinguishing device Oct. 31, for actions performed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a tank commander with 2nd Platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion. During a combat operation,...

U.S. Marine CorpsCpl. Quinnon W. Duke Utah Native Continues Family Legacy By Lance Cpl. Josh CoxII Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 3, 2005 — A young boy looked up to his grandfather, a Bronze Star recipient who served in the Army during World War II, and grew up to follow a legacy that he continues today in Iraq. Cpl. Quinnon W. Duke, 27, said his grandfather's service called him to pursue a career in the military, and the nobility of the Corps motivated him to become a Marine. “My grandfather was a strong man with good...

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq (Nov. 3, 2005) -- What Cpl. Jeffery R. Lyskawa does here is not flashy or sexy. He doesn’t fly planes or stalk the enemy through the night. The 23-year-old Athol, Mass., native maintains and repairs dozens of air conditioners and generators that keep the 2nd Marine Division’s Communications Company up and running. It’s the type of thankless, sweaty job that leaves dirt under his fingernails at the end of the day. Lyskawa is like the Maytag Repair Man for Communications Company, which provides the main conduit for all internet, phone and radio communications flowing...

11/1/2005 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- With November being American Indian Heritage Month, I reminisce about a very special World War II veteran whose tour of duty played a very integral role in American military history. In February 2002, I had the distinct honor of meeting a Navajo Code Talker who was also the first Navajo Indian to receive a doctorate degree. I didn't just accidentally meet Dr. Samuel Billison. I looked him up on the Internet and invited him to come to my daughter's elementary school for our 6th Annual Cultural Diversity Assembly. That year was...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 3, 2005) -- The mission of postal Marines in Iraq is vital to the morale of troops serving in operations, and one Marine here is helping in the fight, one package at a time. Corporal Marcus D. Kibble, inspecting noncommissioned officer, Postal Detachment 6, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (FWD), serves as a link between Marines here, and their families at home. The Columbus, Ga., native became interested in the Marine Corps as an athlete in high school. “I was interested my freshman year,” he said. The sports enthusiast played...

He became a legend in the Army, as well as in his native Comanche tribe in Oklahoma. Charles Chibitty, 84, the last of the Comanche “code talkers,” died July 20 this year in Tulsa, Okla. He also reportedly was the last hereditary chief of the Comanche, having descended from the great leader, Chief Ten Bears. “Code talkers” is the term used to describe Soldiers from various Indian tribes who communicated on radios, telephones and telegraph during World Wars I and II. They spoke in their own languages and dialects, many of which were not written down and all of which...

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 27, 2005) -- Like many new Marines fresh out of their military occupational specialty school, Lance Cpl. Richard D. Poulis was worried he wouldn't know anyone in his unit. The 26-year-old from Houston didn't carry that concern long, though. He soon encountered someone he knew all to well, Gunnery Sgt. Walter G. Siquieros, his senior drill instructor from Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot San Diego. "I did a double take when I saw him at (Camp San Mateo, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif)," said Poulis. Poulis and Siquieros were checking into 1st Battalion, 5th Marine...