For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy whileserving as Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines,Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I MarineExpeditionary Force (Forward), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from22 June 2012 to 23 June 2012. After the completion of an air assault intoQaleh-Ye Gaz, Sergeant Rick and his squad were attacked from multiplepositions by high volumes of medium machinegun and indirect fire. SergeantRick subjected himself to the enemy fire four times to employ his M4 Carbineand M203 grenade launcher accurately while directing the maneuver of hisSquad. By his leadership, his squad provided devastating fires on the enemy,forcing their immediate withdrawal. Later that day, with complete disregardfor his own safety, Sergeant Rick forfeited cover and ran out of the patrolbase, covering 200 meters of open ground, to lead a security team andrecover a mortally wounded Marine. Though enemy rounds impacted within feetof his position as the security team maneuvered to the patrol base, SergeantRick calmly directed the fire of the squad. He remained outside the patrolbase, suppressing the enemy, until all of his Marines were safely inside.The following day Sergeant Rick again led his squad to counter a complexambush. The precision fire he employed from his grenade launcher destroyedtwo enemy fighters and oriented close air support aircraft onto theirtargets, ultimately leading to the destruction of the enemy. By his boldinitiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, SergeantRick reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditionsof the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while
serving as Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines,
Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine
Expeditionary Force (Forward), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from
22 June 2012 to 23 June 2012. After the completion of an air assault into
Qaleh-Ye Gaz, Sergeant Rick and his squad were attacked from multiple
positions by high volumes of medium machinegun and indirect fire. Sergeant
Rick subjected himself to the enemy fire four times to employ his M4 Carbine
and M203 grenade launcher accurately while directing the maneuver of his
Squad. By his leadership, his squad provided devastating fires on the enemy,
forcing their immediate withdrawal. Later that day, with complete disregard
for his own safety, Sergeant Rick forfeited cover and ran out of the patrol
base, covering 200 meters of open ground, to lead a security team and
recover a mortally wounded Marine. Though enemy rounds impacted within feet
of his position as the security team maneuvered to the patrol base, Sergeant
Rick calmly directed the fire of the squad. He remained outside the patrol
base, suppressing the enemy, until all of his Marines were safely inside.
The following day Sergeant Rick again led his squad to counter a complex
ambush. The precision fire he employed from his grenade launcher destroyed
two enemy fighters and oriented close air support aircraft onto their
targets, ultimately leading to the destruction of the enemy. By his bold
initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Sergeant
Rick reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.