This time, said heroism is twofold. One for personal actions during combat and two for that less commonly recognized but perhaps more important accomplishment of effecting a paradigm shift in an huge, stilted, slow to change entity. The United States Marine Corps. Jack helped effect a change in focusing on say tightening up your looped sling in the prone to shoot man side paper targets at 500 yards to actually training to
fight with your weapons. The very fact that thousands of Marines are learning what a controlled pair as opposed to the ubiquitous "double tap" is a cause of wonderment.
Jack Leuba AKA "Failure2Stop did these things. I knew vaguely about the training and as it is with so many that have done great deeds like these;
nothing about the Bronze Star until I heard it secondhand from a Marine that served with Jack.
As mentioned before on here, Jack is now in the training business. Carbine and handgun mostly but he and a
certain Marine Scout Sniper we know are considering a DMR/SDM type long range shooting class depending on deployments and time off in between. Jack's
first class sold out in a week FLAT.
Please excuse the formatting. Posting from an iPad in hotel in Vegas. Here for the National Finals Rodeo.
Nominee: Failure2Stop
Recommendation: BV
Status: Archived APSPrint Award Info
Summary of Action
Citation
Award Info
Nominee
1. APS Form: 1650X 2. SSN: *****3402 3. Service: USMC 4. Name: Failure2Stop,
D 5. Rank: SGT 6. Geofield: OCONUS
Award
7. Recommended Award: BV 8. Final Award: BV 9. Date Submitted:
2004-08-08 00:00:00.0 10. Date Approved: 2005-01-06 00:00:00.0 11.
Action Dates/Meritorious Period: 20040408-20040630
Summary of Action:
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
From 08 April to 30 June 2004 Sergeant Failure2Stop served as the
scout squad leader for Third Platoon, Company D, 2D Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion.
On 08 April 2004, Third Platoon was escorting an Army Heavy Equipment
Truck platoon from Taji Airfield to Camp Fallujah, Iraq. En route a
convoy of civilian contractors in 18-wheeled cargo trucks encountered
an obstacle in the town of Abu Ghurayb. The platoon's Alpha Section
moved forward to provide security for the vehicles as they evaluated
the obstacle. When the section moved up to the convoy they came under
heavy small arms, Rocket Propelled Grenade, and indirect fires from
both sides of the road. The 18-wheeled vehicle drivers panicked, jack
knifed two vehicles, and ran from the scene, separating the two
LAV-25s. Sergeant Failure2Stop dismounted with his scout team and emplaced
them to provide fires to both sides of the road. He then, under fire,
chased down two drivers of the 18-wheeled vehicles and convinced them
to return to their vehicles. He helped maneuver the LAV-25s to provide
security for the vehicles to leave the kill zone and helped direct
fires from the vehicles to engage enemy on both sides of the road. He
personally escorted the drivers to their vehicles and directed them
out of the engagement zone, while under fire. In the face of
relentless enemy fire, he continued to employ his scout team for over
30 minutes, never worrying for his personal safety, resulting in 10
confirmed enemy killed in action. During the engagement, one of the
vehicle commanders was shot in the abdomen. Sergeant Failure2Stop's scout
team covered the vehicle's withdrawl from the engagement zone,
allowing the vehicle commander to maneuver his vehicle to a covered
area to be evacuated. His courage allowed for the recovery of all
personnel from the engagement zone, and the safe return of all
personnel to Camp Fallujah.
On 10 April 2004, at 0045, the platoon came under ambush in Al Karhma,
Iraq. Sergeant Failure2Stop's remained standing in the face of small arms and
Rocket Propelled Grenade fire, from both sides of the road, and
accurately engaged multiple enemy targets in windows and hardened
positions on rooftops. His fires and courageous example inspired the
scouts in his vehicle, allowing the platoon to gain fire superiority
and breach an obstacle of 8ft tall "Texas" barriers. His example in
the face of enemy fire helped the platoon maneuver through the ambush
with no casualties and destroy multiple enemy positions.
On 13 April 2004, Third Platoon conducted a raid while attached to
First Reconnaissance Battalion, capturing three Naji Brothers and
multiple AK-47s. His expertise in close quarters battle allowed him to
prepare his scouts for the raid. Sergeant Failure2Stop led the assault
element on one of two Battalion Objectives. His quick reaction and
presence of mind ensured the safety of the family members inside and
separated the two men inside the building. He implaced the outer
cordon to secure the building and detainees, allowing the HET team to
interrogate the males, while he lead the search of the premises
recovering four AK-47s and seven magazines of 7.62 mm ammunition.
On 22 April 2004, at approximately 0130, Third Platoon was moving into
blocking positions when Sergeant Failure2Stop's vehicle rolled into a canal
trapping the entire vehicle crew under water. Sergeant Failure2Stop remained
calm and ensured that all four scouts made their way safely out of the
vehicle. He then moved to the drivers hatch, knowing that the driver
had been trapped underwater for over a minute and a half, and opened
the drivers hatch underwater and pulled the driver to safety where he
was resuscitated. His immediate action saved the life of the vehicle's
driver. Sergeant Failure2Stop immediately set his scouts into a security
posture while he recovered sensitive items from the vehicle. He then took
accountability of the gear he recovered and maintained security for
the vehicle until he was removed from the scene to return to Camp
Baharia.
On 30 April 2004 at 1050, while on a zone reconnaissance patrol, the
platoon's rear LAV-25 was hit by a vehicle borne improvised explosive
device. The initial blast killed two Marines that were standing in the
scout hatches of the vehicle, wounded the vehicle commander, two
Marines in the scout compartment, a Marine in an anti-tank variant,
and the Platoon Corpsman. At the time of the explosion, Sergeant Failure2Stop
was leading a two team patrol to gain information on three 155mm
Artillery Pieces. Immediately after the explosion Sergeant Failure2Stop
directed both teams to secure the area and he personally helped pull
the wounded scouts from the scout compartment and carry them to a
secure position to be given medical attention.
Upon the arrival of six HMMWVs from 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, Sergeant
Failure2Stop emplaced the vehicles and Marines to reinforce the perimeter
security. Sergeant Failure2Stop continued to improve the perimeter, giving
updates to his platoon commander continually, and check on the wounded
Marines. Upon Arrival of the Air-MEDEVAC Sergeant Failure2Stop helped carry
the Marines to the helicopter and once the helicopters had left the
scene Sergeant Failure2Stop returned to the disabled vehicle and directed the
Marines to remove the SL-3 equipment from the vehicle. He continued to
move the scouts to improve the perimeter and keep the Marines focused
till the quick reaction force arrived.
From 05 May to 30 June 2004 Sergeant Failure2Stop served as the Platoon
Sergeant for Third Platoon. His leadership ensured the strong
performance of the platoon and continued to push each Marine to the
limits of their performance. He reformatted the platoon Equipment
Density List, and ensured that all rosters were up to date and
correct.
On 15 May 2004, Company D, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
conducted a raid on the Date Palm Grove north of Al Saqlawiyah.
Sergeant Failure2Stop helped coordinate and supervise the training for the
company scouts and was the Assault team leader for the company on two
of the three Company Objectives. His expertise and professionalism
were vital both in the planning and execution phases of the operation.
From 06 June to 08 June 2004, Third Platoon attached to First
Reconnaissance Battalion to conduct a raid on the Chicken Farm north
of Al Fallujah, Iraq. Sergeant Failure2Stop led his scout team through the
clearing and securing of the chicken coup andemplaced his scouts on the
outer cordon. His efforts aided the capture of nine detainees and the discovery of an improvised explosive device lab and large munitions cache.
On 24 June 2004 at 0829, Third Platoon came under fire from small
arms, rocket propelled grenades, and mortars south of Al Fallujah
while conducting a security patrol. The platoon engaged a squad size
force, and Sergeant Failure2Stop led the platoon's scouts through the ambush
site to secure the location. Sergeant Failure2Stop personally led his Marines
under fire through the clearing of several buildings to which the
enemy retreated. Directing the supressive fire of his team's Squad
Automatic Weapon, Sergeant Failure2Stop directed the firing of three M203
grenade rounds into the building, and with no regard for his personal
safety, exposed himself and killed the remaining enemy, completely
destroying their attempt to interdict coalition forces on MSR Mobile.
The platoon's response and Sergeant Failure2Stop's employment of the scouts
led to five confirmed enemy personnel killed in action and the capture
of one RPK medium machine gun, one rocket propelled grenade launcher,
two hand grenades, one ID, and four AK-47s.
On 28 July 2004, while attached to ODA forces from Camp Chosin,
Sergeant Failure2Stop led the raid force on one of four HVT objectives. His
quick action caught two known leaders of an improvised explosive
device making ring in their sleep, ensuring the safety of one female
and two young boys on the site. He personally questioned the men,
confirmed they were the HVTs and led the search of the site recovering
multiple improvised explosive device making materials to implicate the
two HVTs.
On 06 September 2004, Sergeant Failure2Stop's platoon participated in an
attack on Objective Bryant in Fallujah, Iraq. Sergeant Failure2Stop emplaced
his scout section to cover the platoon's southern and eastern flanks.
His actions along with his platoon accounted for seven confirmed enemy
killed in action.
His knowledge and ability was an asset not only to the platoon but
also to all scouts in the company. His expertise in his field allowed
him to continue to train his Marines for each mission they were
assigned and ensured that they were technically and tactically
proficient. His heroic actions saved the lives of his Marines and were
in keeping with the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis".
Summary of Action:
Summary Action: Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop distinguished himself
while serving as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Chief
Instructor and Instructor, Small Arms Weapons Instructor School,
Marine Corps Marksmanship Center of Excellence, Weapons Training
Battalion, Training Command from 23 October 2005 to 1 Nov 2006.
Intelligent, focused, and tenacious, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop's
performance was consistently superior while serving the battalion and
the Marine Corps' requirements. His combat experiences, intensity and
clarity of thought, coupled with command presence and unquestionable
professionalism, made him an effective leader and administrator to the
Small Arms Weapons Instructor School. Leading by example as his
trademark, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop's supervision, mentorship, and all
around leadership was tremendous, and significantly contributed to the
success of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Center of Excellence and the
whole of Weapons Training Battalion.
Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop and his section have taken the lead in
implementing various new training programs to enhance every Marine's
individual rifle marksmanship skills. Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop's
commitment to marksmanship excellence and providing the Marine Corps
the best possible marksmanship training will leave a lasting mark on
the Marine Corps for years to come while ensuring our combat readiness
second to none.
Cohesive Efforts and Team Building
Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop took it upon himself to develop a cohesive staff
that could meet the requirements of Formal School Instructors and
curriculum developers until such a time that formal schooling could be
allocated and attended by the staff. Receiving augment and replacement
instructors from the Weapons Training Battalion Rifle Range Unit meant
that these new billeted instructors were not qualified for the
daunting task of completely redesigning, developing and implementing a
completely new Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program that took
marksmanship from one table of fire on known distance, to four
distinctly different firing tables, surpassing initial skills on known
distance by adding day and night fires, firing while on the move,
firing at unknown distance, firing at extremely short range on
multiple targets that required target discrimination and selective
target identification to ensure accuracy and success. Staff Sergeant
Failure2Stop initiated his own train the trainer program to develop the
instructor skills, the curriculum development skills and spent
countless weekends and after hours conducting "murder boards" with the
intent of honing the skills as they gradually developed for this
novice staff that he inherited on extremely short notice. Holding a
Gunnery Sergeant's billet while a staff sergeant, conducting
curriculum development on two completely separate cirriculums while
never himself receiving formal instruction on curriculum development,
training instructors on his own time to overcome a lack of quotas or
time to attend formal school instructor courses while preparing for
and teaching his own set of classes as the Chief Instructor was just
the beginning of this Marines' accomplishments.
Combat Marksmanship Program
The staff of Small Arms Weapons Instructor School (SAWIS) received the
task to assist the Marksmanship Program Management Section of Weapons
Training Battalion in designing the recently approved Combat
Marksmanship Program. This program would take the entire Marine Corps
beyond fundamental instruction to complete with ready to use skills in
the streets of Fallujah and Ramadi with combat equipment and
accessories to the weapon system all incorporated into the
marksmanship program. The task of identifying the necessary training
events to meet the marksmanship tasks fell upon the personnel of
SAWIS. Forty-eight separate classes were identified as necessary to
teach students, teach coaches how to teach students, teach coaches how
to fault check the performance of students and to evaluate the
capability of both students and coaches throughout the Marine Corps.
Initially serving as the Chief Instructor, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop used
his understanding of his personnel to make the appropriate taskers for
each SAWIS Instructor for the design and development of the training
material, conducting daily instructor evaluations, daily rudder steers
in the context of the documents that would be used for instruction and
interaction in the design of the ranges that would be utilized to
transfer the necessary skills in support of the identified
marksmanship tasks. From October 2005 to late January 2006, Staff
Sergeant Failure2Stop led his instructors to complete the daunting task of
curriculum development of these 48 different classes, the design,
development and validation of four different gunnery tables, each with
different sub-parts. In less than three months, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop
completed a task that is identified in the curriculum developers
manual to take in excess of 18 months. While our nation was at war and
needed critical skills taught NOW, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop was the right
man at the right time to meet this daunting task.
Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop did not sit back and await the results of his
other seven self trained instructors. Using his multiple combat
experiences that earned him the Bronze Star with distinguishing V
device, he ensured his experiences would be shared with every facet
that opportunity provided regardless of the time this would cost him.
He personally took on the responsibility for the heaviest loads by
individually developing from scratch the following instruction:
-Ballistics. An in depth instruction on internal, external and
terminal ballistics.
-Weapons Handling techniques: Incorporating combat gear and the new
three point slings into the marksmanship instruction led to conflict
that needed resolution between fundamental and combat skills.
- Methods of Target Engagement: The baseline of all combat techniques
for hammered pairs, controlled pairs, aimed fire.
- Design/Development and Validation of Table three short range day
- Design/Development and Validation of Table three short range night
using white lights on the weapons
- Design/Development and Validation of the Rifle Combat Optic for
incorporation into the course of fire during Table 3 and 4.
- Design/Development and Validation of the AN/PEQ-2A laser
pointer/illuminator for incorporation into the course of fire for
Table 3 known distance night and Table 4 short range night courses of fire.
- Design/Development and Validation of the AN/PVS-7b night vision
goggle for incorporation into Table 3 unknown distance night and Table
Four all night fires.
- Design/Development and Validation of the Laser Boresight for
incorporation into AN/PEQ-2a and RCO zeroing procedures during Table 3
and Table 4 night fires.
- Design/Development and Validation of Table three unknown distance range day
- Design/Development and Validation of Table three known distance
night with goggles and laser/pointers.
- Design/Development and Validation of Table four short range day
- Design/Development and Validation of Table four short range night
- Design/Development and Validation of Table four unknown distance
with magnified optic
- Design/Development and Validation of Table four lateral movement engagement
- Design/Development and Validation of all tables scoring procedures
Mobile Training Teams (MTT's) for Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship
Program (MCCMP)
After three months of sleepless nights and hearing his instructors
teach the same class for the eighth or ninth time, seeing the same
ranges conducted until perfection was achieved, the order to take a
team of instructors to the Marine Corps was issued. Staff Sergeant
Failure2Stop was identified as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer and Chief
Instructor for Team One. This team conducted MTT's (Mobile Training Teams) to Camp Pendleton
Edson Range, Okinawa-Japan, Camp Pendleton Wilcox Range and Fort Smith
Arkansas. In all, 120 students were certified as Combat Marksmanship
Trainers during an exhausting 15 day training schedule that sped up
the training process by training 15-18 hours per day, conducting 15
different daytime live fires per four different bases, four different
night time live fires per base using over 250,000 rounds of 5.56mm
ammunition in various settings with combat equipment on. This
ammunition did not account for the local ammunition and live fires
conducted in the development and validation programs, nor in the other
training that occurred separate to this marksmanship program.
The hardest part about the implementation was the timeline. Receiving
the tasker in October 2005, rapidly developing the course material and
completing all the mobile training teams to the Marine Corps less than
nine months later in what should have been a 2-3 year process was
phenomenal. With the new MCCMP all Marines now will receive formal
training on fundamental marksmanship skills, combat marksmanships
skills, and employment of associated rifle equipment such as the Rifle
Combat Optic and AN/PEQ-2A Night Aiming Illuminator/Pointer.
Foreign Weapons Advisor Training Course.
Before the last Combat Marksmanship Trainer received his certificate
of completion, the personnel of SAWIS received yet another short fuse
tasker. This task was to design, develop, resource and implement a
Foreign Weapons Advisor Training Course in support of various foreign
military transition teams comprised of individual augments from around
the Marine Corps. Once again, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop demonstrated his
resourcefulness and organizational capabilities by having to identify
the necessary training requirements to meet a six weapon task list,
assign the appropriate instructor to the appropriate training
requirement, conduct faculty development to ensure that his
instructors were the true masters of the curriculum while also having
to resource his own training requirements. These two separate skills
were to be completed from July 2006, just one day after returning from
the last MTT on Combat Marksmanship and to be complete no later than
the first of October 2006. Once again, a course that the systems
approach to training states requires 18 months in development was
ready to execute in just 2 months.
The first order of business was faculty development. Using limited
resources from local museums and explosive ordinance disposal units,
training material was obtained to begin the staff development.
Scheduling classes with the Naval Ground Intelligence Center, Aberdeen
Proving Ground- Maryland and a sister agency of the Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms, sufficient training was conducted to fully develop the
staff. Several staff members attended a civilian run course on foreign
weapons at Gun-Site in Arizona.
To meet resource requirements for functional weapons was yet another
challenge. Weapons were initially located and temp loaned from the
Fort Bragg National Guard armory, from the stocks of Aberdeen Proving
ground and accessory items were even purchased from resourceful
civilian companies who had former military loaders, magazines and
essential accessories for sale. Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop maintained
complete oversight on what was needed, what was inbound or already on
hand and ensured the necessary training material suited the
requirements of the instruction while constantly holding instructor
development training "murder boards" complete with the necessary
remediation to correct what he perceived as shortfalls.
During this time, Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop also performed the duties as
Staff Non-Commissioned Officer which required him to perform:
-Scheduling of all live fire ranges
-Attendance in battalion meetings and administration functions
-Scheduling the allocations for ammunition
-Scheduling the corpsman and safety vehicle requirements
-Scheduling the necessary communications requirements
-Coordinating external logistical support
-Coordinating the schedule of training for incoming students mere months away
-Coordinating the mobile training teams administrative schedules of
flights, rental cars, lodging, per diem, range usage and support
requirements.
Performing either the SNCOIC or the Chief Instructor job by itself is
a completely full time job, especially during a compressed schedule in
a war time effort, but to be expected to perform both duties
simultaneously and do so admirably is beyond explanation or
comprehension.
Mobile Training Teams for Foreign Weapons Advisor Training Course (FWATC)
In support of a II MEF requirement on very short notice, a request to
receive our MTT on FWATC was approved and once again Staff Sergeant
Failure2Stop was on the road to work in someone else's backyard to conduct
live fire training. This time the training was on our opponent's
weapons. As the premier Small Arms Weapons Instructor, Staff Sergeant
Failure2Stop was the perfect Marine to receive this task. In all, four
different MTT's were conducted in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 14
October 2006 to 3 November 2006, comprising 140 different students,
firing in excess of 50,000 7.62 x 39mm rounds of ammunition to ensure
these military transition teams were prepared to advise their Iraqi or
Afghani counterparts during the Global War on Terror.
Other Accomplishments
-Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop's influence did not end within the confines of
his world of mobile training teams. During this time, he also:
- Participated as the subject matter expert (SME) for Marine Corps
Combat Development Command's requirements officers in the development
of the Combat Pistol Program.
- Assisted in the Testing and Evaluation of Marine Corps Systems
Command's 3-Point Tactical Sling procurement program. Identified as
the SME during the writing of the technical manual that would be
fielded with the selected sling.
- Participated as a Subject Matter Expert on small arms during a
Limited User Evaluation for the SOCOM weapon system titled SCAR in
Camp Pendleton, CA during June 06.
- Hosted the Chief of Naval Operations during a familiarization shoot
of small arms from 25-26 March 06.
- Attended and graduated Close Quarter Battle School in May 06.
- SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during the annual Marine Gunner training
aboard WTBN during June 2006.
-SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during the reserve unit Train the Trainer
for Combat Marksmanship Program during September 2006.
-SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during the Range Officer Symposium live
fire 18-19 Sept 06.
-SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during acquisitions contractors live fire
demonstration on 21 Sept 2006.
-SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during Assistant Secretary of the Navy
live fire on 4 Oct 06.
-SNCOIC and Chief Instructor during Combat Marksmanship Trainer course
for WTBN personnel 10-12 October 2006.
Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop is the epitome of a Marine Instructor. Nothing
means more to him than a student understanding the critical elements
that will keep that Marine alive, especially dealing with
marksmanship. Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop has been the key to the success of
two complete marksmanship programs, leading by example on and off the
instructor platform, meeting the logistical challenges normally
requiring a seasoned Gunnery Sergeant, developing an instructor cadre
while simultaneously developing curriculum (extremely difficult feat)
and maintaining positive attitude and bearing as an example of
leadership throughout. Any normal human would have been crushed under
the pressure, but Staff Sergeant Failure2Stop grew stronger as the pressure
increased.
This submission for a Meritorious Service Medal is made because Staff
Sergeant Failure2Stop's level of responsibility, accomplishments, and impact
on the entire Marine Corps truly have been at the level of and order
of magnitude necessary to justify this award.
Summary of Action
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
-APR 03 "SERVICE MEMBER RECEIVED IDP."
-16 APR 03 ENTERED AL MOSUL AIRFIELD AND ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE
TWENTY-FIVE LIGHT ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE MARINES FLOWN INTO COUNTRY
-17 APR 03 ASSUMES DEFENSIVE POSITION ON BATTALION LANDING TEAM'S
NORTHWEST PERIMETER OF AIRFIELD DEFENSIVE PERIMETER, INDEPENDENTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR AN OVER FIFTEEN HUNDRED METER FRONTAGE. AS THE PLATOON
ADVANCED BODY, ESTABLISHES A DEFENSIVE PLAN FOR THE EXPECTED ARRIVAL
OF THE PLATOON'S SEVEN LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLES
-18 APR 03 ONE LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLE ARRIVES, ENDING Battalion Landing Team
COMBAT INFLOW. SGT Failure2Stop REORGANIZES DEFENSE AND PREPARES POSITION
FOR LONG
TERM OCCUPATION
-20 APR 03 BEGINS PATROLLING EFFORT INTO THE ACTIVELY LOOTED FIFTH
CORPS HEADQUARTERS, DESPITE HIS ALREADY THIN DEFENSIVE LINES AND THE
STRAINS UPON OPERATIONAL TEMPO. ON INITIAL PATROL, A MEMBER OF SGT
Failure2Stop'S PATROL WAS PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED BY AN IRAQI LOCAL. THROUGH
HIS QUICK THINKING AND PHYSICAL COURAGE, HE MOVED TO THE SCENE,
PHYSICALLY STOPPED AND CAPTURED THE INDIVIDUAL WITH A TEAM LEADER, AND
DETERRED THE REMAINING LOCALS IN THE AREA. ONCE DISARMING THE SITUATION
ON THE STREET, HE MOVED HIS PATROL WITH THE CAPTURED ATTACKER BACK INTO
FRIENDLY LINES. THE CAPTURED INDIVIDUAL WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS SADDAM
FEDAYEEN AND A PERPETRATOR OF OFFENSIVE ACTIONS AGAINST THE U.S.
FORCES IN THE AREA.
-21 APR 03 A COORDINATED ATTACK AGAINST THE BATTALION LANDING TEAM'S
PERIMETER BEGAN ALONG SGT Failure2Stop'S POSITIONS. THE INITIAL PROBING
ELEMENTS WERE IDENTIFIED BY ONE OF HIS TEAMS AS THEY BREECHED THE AIRFIELD
FENCE AND ERE ENGAGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS DEFENSIVE PLAN. AS A RESULT, THE
IRAQI ASSAULT OPENED WITH CONTINUOUS FIRE ALONG THE LAR POSITIONS. SGT
Failure2Stop MOVED TO THE GREATEST VANTAGE POINT ON AN EXPOSED BUNKER TOP AND
BEGAN DIRECTING HIS DEFENSE'S FIRES. HE MOVED FROM POSITION TO
POSITION ENSURING HIS MARINES WERE SUPPLIED AND PROPERLY EXECUTING HIS
DEFENSE. HIS MARINES EFFECTIVELY REPELLED THIS CONCERTED EFFORT TO
BREECH THE BATTALION LANDING TEAM EXTENSIVE PORTION OF THE LINE AS
THE IRAQI FORCE ATTEMPTED THEIR ASSAULT ONTO OTHER BATTALION LANDING TEAM
-16-24 APR 03 SGT Failure2Stop'S DEFENSIVE LINE WAS UNDER CONSTANT
OSERVATION FROM IRAQI FORCES AS WELL AS SPORADIC SMALL ARMS FIRE,
VARIOUS CLOSE-PROXIMITY EXPLOSIONS, AND COUNTLESS FENCELINE BREECH
ATTEMPTS BY IRAQIS THROUGH THE PERIOD. THROUGHOUT ALL THESE EVENTS,
SGT Failure2Stop WAS THE EVER-PRESENT LEADER, ESTABLISHING A PROACTIVE
DEFENSE, INSPIRING HIS MARINES, ALWAYS PUTTING HIMSELF WHERE DECISIONS
NEEDED TO BE MADE, NO MATTER THE PERSONAL DANGER. HIS ACTIONS WERE
COMMENSURATE WITH AN EXPERIENCED AND CAPABLE COMPANY GRADE OFFICER,
REINFORCING HIS EXTENSIVE PRE-CONFLICT DEDICATION IN PREPARING HIMSELF
AND HIS MARINES FOR COMBAT.
Citation:
HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE
SERVING AS SCOUT SQUAD LEADER, BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/8, 26TH MARINE
EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABLE) DEPLOYED WITH
COMMANDER, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, CENTRAL COMMAND FROM 12 APRIL TO
24 APRIL 2003. DURING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, SERGEANT Failure2Stop ARRAYED
HIS SQUAD IN A DEFENSIVE POSITION NORMALLY SUITED TO A RIFLE COMPANY
IN ORDER TO PROTECT A KEY APPROACH TO THE MOSUL AIRFIELD. HE LED A
DEFENSIVE RESPONSE THAT REPELLED NUMEROUS PROBES BY IRAQI FORCES.
SERGEANT Failure2Stop LATER LED A PATROL INTO THE IRAQI FIFTH CORPS
HEADQUARTERS, WHERE HE CAPTURED A MEMBER OF THE SADDAM FEDAYEEN THAT
WAS LATER FOUND TO BE A PERPETRATOR OF ATTACKS AGAINST U.S. FORCES.
SERGEANT Failure2Stop's XECEPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL ABILITY, INITIATIVE AND
LOYAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND WERE
IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE
UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
