1834 ACV Crewmember

Sergeant Harper served as assistant Section Leader, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division

Sergeant Harper lead company wide SL-3 accountability of 18 Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) worth more than 120 million dollars and provided over 600 hours of hands-on maintenance that included replacing 16 shocks, 24 half-shaft/CV bearings, and repairing 3 gearboxes, directly increasing vehicle readiness across three platoons.

Sergeant Harper served as a vehicle commander and vehicle crew evaluator, qualifying 15 marines for General Skills Training (GST) qualification for upcoming gunnery ranges. He led 35 hours of continuous day/night operations with 18 vehicles while training, evaluating, and certifying ACV crews, reducing reliance on external evaluators while improving platoon-level lethality.

As an ACV commander with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, Sergeant Harper performed above his grade, mentoring junior marines and achieving a distinguished Table VI gunnery score, two major land driving operations, amphibious certification, and the highest ramp inspection score during the battalion commander's inspection.

Sergeant Harper supported large-scale exercises including MWX, ITX, and Steel Knight, executing over 300 MK-19 rounds, over 500 .50 cal rounds, and sustaining three continuous days of high-tempo operations, sustaining vehicle readiness throughout the operation.

During shipboard and cargo operations aboard four naval vessels, Sergeant Harper supervised 15 marines, trained 14 sailors, coordinated the movement of seven tactical vehicles, valued at more than 21 million dollars, executed seven waterborne splashes, and led 350 operational hours, culminating in a meritorious promotion to corporal by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

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PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS TANK GUNNER, COMPANY D, 1ST TANK BATTALION, REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 7, II MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD) FROM JANUARY 2013 TO JULY 2013 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. CORPORAL FLAVIN DISPLAYED UNPARALLELED PROFESSIONALISM AND ENTHUSIASM IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTIES AS A TANK GUNNER. HE PARTICIPATED IN THREE NAMED OPERATIONS AND 41 PATROLS, PROJECTING COMBAT POWER INTO FOUR DISTRICTS ACROSS NORTHERN HELMAND PROVINCE. DURING OPERATION DYNAMIC PARTNER, CORPORAL FLAVIN ENGAGED AND DESTROYED ENEMY FIGHTERS IN HIS SECTOR OVER FIVE DAYS OF COMBAT, WITH AT LEAST FIVE ENEMY FIGHTERS DESTROYED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF HIS ACCURATE AND EFFECTIVE FIRE. ON 13 MAY, WHEN COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY WAS ATTACKED BY A VEHICLE-BORNE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, CORPORAL FLAVIN IMMEDIATELY TOOK DECISIVE ACTION. HE PERSONALLY TREATED AND CARRIED FOUR CASUALTIES 150 METERS FROM THEIR POINTS OF INJURY TO THE FORWARD AID STATION. CORPORAL FLAVIN'S EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM, UNRELENTING PERSEVERANCE, AND LOYAL DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.