A Marine Raider was awarded a Silver Star for taking out an armored-vehicle IED with a Javelin
A Marine Raider and sniper with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion has been awarded the nation’s third highest award for combat bravery for his heroic actions during the outset of the campaign to liberate Mosul, Iraq, from ISIS fighters..
The elite Marine commando with Marine Forces Special Operations Command is the only Marine thus far to be awarded the Silver Star for actions against ISIS militants in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The Marine’s name is withheld out of operational security concerns as he is still operating with Marine Forces Special Operations Command.
On Oct. 20, 2016, the Marine Raider was a staff sergeant serving as an assistant element leader with 2nd Marine Raider Battalion as his unit assisted other forces in an operation to isolate Mosul for its future liberation.
During the day, his team was hit with sustained enemy fire and the unit decided to occupy a point between two enemy controlled villages, according to details in his award citation obtained by Marine Corps Times. Enemy forces, consisting of roughly 25 fighters and an armored vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, launched a counter-attack against the Raider team’s position.
The Raider engaged and suppressed the dismounted enemy force with a sniper rifle, but the armored, bomb-laden vehicle continued to barrel toward his unit’s position.
The Raider exposed himself to enemy fire by climbing atop a vehicle to acquire an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile, according to the award citation. The first shot failed to launch, so the Raider once again exposed himself to enemy fire to take a second shot with another Javelin missile, this time effectively destroying the explosive packed vehicle.
His actions helped saved the lives of his teammates that day.
The Raider’s Silver Star is the first for Marines supporting anti-ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria.