MOS 0331 Machine Gunner
0331 Infantry Machine Gunner
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS THE MACHINE GUN SECTION LEADER, LIMA COMPANY, 3D BATTALION, 23D MARINE REGIMENT, 4TH MARINE DIVISION FROM JULY 8, 2023 TO JULY 22, 2023. DURING THIS PERIOD, SERGEANT GATTIS DISPLAYED A HIGH LEVEL OF TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF UNITAS 2023. HE CREATED AND CONDUCTED MACHINE GUN EMPLOYMENT AND MACHINE GUN GUNNERY INSTRUCTION TO OVER ONE HUNDRED MEMBERS OF THE COLOMBIAN MARINE CORPS SCHOOL OF INFANTRY INSTRUCTOR CADRE. THIS PERIOD OF INSTRUCTION LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR NEW MACHINE GUN INSTRUCTION FOR THE COLOMBIAN MARINE CORPS THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY NEW COLOMBIAN INFANTRYMEN. ADDITIONALLY, HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO COVER RADIO WATCH DURING THE COMBAT SWIMMING LANE AT UNITAS 2023, WHICH ENABLED MARINES TO PARTICIPATE AS SAFETY OFFICERS IN THE POOL, RESULTING IN THE SUCCESSFUL TRAINING OF OVER 200 MARINES AND PARTNER NATION MILITARY MEMBERS AND INCREASED COHESION WITH PARTNER NATION FORCES. MOREOVER, HE COMPLETED THESE ADDITIONAL TASKS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY MAINTAINING THE DAILY TASKS AND DUTIES OF A SECTION LEADER WITH NO SUPERVISION. HIS INITIATIVE INCREASED THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LIMA COMPANY AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. SERGEANT GATTIS' PROFESSIONALISM, INITIATIVE AND TOTAL 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.
0331 Infantry Machine Gunner
During operations in the Miribad Valley, PFC Hearst conducted over 20 fire missions, to stop Taliban intimidation of local nationals, which directly led to increased participation in shuras with Provincial Reconstruction Team Uruzgan (PRT-U). Due to the pinpoint accuracy of the fire missions the PRT was able to increase the number of participants by 52. The resulting shuras brought greater security, work, humanitarian aid, and a stronger Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) influence in the Miribad Valley.
During operations in the Miribad Valley, PFC Hearst served as a 240B Machine Gunner providing over watch for the 10 man dismounted CA element conducting reconnaissance and atmospherics in the area. With PFC Hearst providing over watch, the small element was able to engage with over 120 local nationals, a feat which would have been impossible otherwise.
During Operation Enduring Freedom, PFC Hearst instructed U.S. Navy and Australian armed forces on the capabilities, functions, and employment of the 60mm mortar system. His efforts inspired such camaraderie that the Australian detachment agreed to train the U.S. forces present on the 84mm recoiless rifle system.
0331 Infantry Machine Gunner
MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS MACHINE GUNNER, HEADQUARTERS MOBILE PLATOON, INDIA COMPANY, 3D BATTALION, 5TH MARINES, FROM 21 FEBRUARY 2011 TO 10 APRIL 2011, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 10.4. DURING THIS PERIOD, CORPORAL TRONDLE DEMONSTRATED HIS OVERALL INFANTRY PROFICIENCY AS A MACHINE GUNNER ORGANIC TO HEADQUARTERS MOBILE PLATOON. HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY DEMONSTRATING MASTERY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AS MK-19 GUNNER AND LEAD .50 CAL GUNNER DURING OVER 50 COMBAT PATROLS, 10 CASUALTY PLATFORM EVACUATIONS, AND TWO TROOPS IN CONTACT RESUPPLIES. ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS, CORPORAL TRONDLE EXPOSED HIMSELF TO SMALL ARMS, MEDIUM MACHINE GUN, AND SNIPER FIRE TO RETURN FIRE, DEFEND HIS POSITION, AND GAIN A FOOTHOLD ON THE ENEMY. CORPORAL TRONDLE'S VALOR AND TACTICAL PROFICIENCY RESULTED IN 14 ENEMY KILLED IN ACTION. CORPORAL TRONDLE'S UNSURPASSED PROFESSIONALISM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
0331 Heavy Machine Gunner
HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS A HEAVY MACHINE GUNNER, 2ND MARINE LOGISTICS GROUP (FORWARD), II MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD) FROM FEBRUARY 2002 TO MAY 2002 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. LANCE CORPORAL PAZOS CONDUCTED 26 COMBAT MISSIONS TO ENSURE THE TIMELY AND ACCURATE DELIVERY OF MISSION CRITICAL GEAR AND SUPPLIES TO FOWARD OPERATING BASES IN THE BAGHDAD REGION. DURING THESE OPERATIONS, LANCE CORPORAL PAZOS WAS THE POINT MAN IN THE CONVOYS, PROVIDING LEAD VEHICLE SECURITY FOR THE ENTIRE OPERATION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, LANCE CORPORAL PAZOS IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, HALTED THE CONVOY, AND NOTIFIED THE EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE DISPOSAL TEAM TO INVESTIGATE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, LANCE CORPORAL PAZOS IDENTIFIED AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE CONVOY, HALTED THE OPERATION, AND GAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR A COORDINATED AIR STRIKE ON A CONFIRMED GROUP OF ENEMY FIGHTERS WHO WERE PLANNING A COORDINATED ATTACK ON THE CONVOY, PROTECTING LIVES AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT, WHILE MEETING MISSION OBJECTIVES. LANCE CORPORAL PAZOS' NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS, PERSEVERANCE, AND 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.
0331 Machine Gunner
Superior performance of duty while serving as a Machine Gunner, Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, International Security Assistance Force, Southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 19 May 2008. In support of Operation Asada Wosa, Private First Class Wilson demonstrated outstanding awareness and proficiency with his M240 machinegun against a squad of enemy fighters. While on Patrol, Private First Class Wilson's squad came under RPG fire. He quickly returned fire with his medium machinegun, eliminating the RPG gunner. Then the squad came under intense small arms and machinegun fire from the front as two enemy fighters attempted to flank the squad's position. Recognizing the enemy's plan, Private First Class Wilson turned his fire to the two enemy fighters attempting to maneuver on their position and suppressed their movement causing them to withdraw. Private First Class Wilson's quick actions and selfless dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.