Expo Ceremony recognizes achievement of Marines, Sailors
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 200491683722
Story by Cpl. Sara A. Carter



Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. (Sept. 15, 2004) -- Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, presented awards to eight Marines and two Sailors here Wednesday, during the Enlisted Awards Parade and Presentation of the 24th annual Modern Day Marine Military Exposition.

Due to the morning rain, the ceremony was conducted inside the Clubs of Quantico.

The first award presented was the Sergeant Maj. Wilbur Bestwick Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine in a ground combat element of a Fleet Marine Force unit who has made a contribution to increased combat readiness. The recipient of the award was Sgt. Mark Mattson for professional achievement while serving as the Embarkation Non-Commission officer for the Communications Platoon, Headquarters and Service Bn., 2nd Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The second award presented was the Sergeant Maj. Frederick B. Douglass Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine in an aviation element who has made a significant contribution to increased combat readiness. The recipient of the award was Gunnery Sgt. Vincent Young for outstanding contributions to Marine Aviation as Maintenance Control Chief while serving with Marine Attack Squadron 223 from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2003.

The third award presented was the Sgt. Harry D. Myers Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine serving in a combat service support element of a Fleet Marine Force unit who has made a significant contribution within the organization. The recipient of the award was Gunnery Sgt. David Higginbotham for his professional achievement in the superior performance of duties while serving as Supply Chief, H&S Bn., 2nd Marine Division.

The fourth award presented was the Chief Hospital Corpsman George William “Doc” Piercy Award. This award is presented to a U.S. Naval Corpsman or dental technician who, while serving with an FMF unit, has made an outstanding contribution to increased medical combat readiness within the organization. The recipient of the award was Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sean Ryall for professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Aeromedical Safety Corpsman, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, USMC Forces Pacific in 2003.

The fifth award presented was the Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock II Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine who has made an outstanding contribution to marksmanship and marksmanship training during the previous year. The recipient of the award was Sgt. David Pritt for his professional service while serving as Primary Marksmanship Instructor and Chief Instructor, Range Unit, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia from January 2003 to January 2004.

The sixth award presented was the Drill Instructor of the Year Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine for service on the drill field as a Drill Instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depots at parries Island or San Diego. The recipient of the award was Gunnery Sgt. Terrence Whitcomb for meritorious service while serving as Drill Instructor in the Third Recruit Training Bn., Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, Calif.

The seventh award presented was the Sergeant Maj. Bertha Peters Award. Peters was the first Woman Marine to be assigned as the Sergeant Major of the Woman Marines. The recipient of the award was Sgt. Melissa Lewallen for her professional service as the Motor Transport Maintenance Chief, from February 2002 to April 2004.
The eighth award presented was the Recruiter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an enlisted Marine who has shown outstanding professional ability in the field of recruitment of young men and women. The recipient of the award was Gunnery Sgt. John Choi for his meritorious service while serving as a canvassing recruiter at Recruiting Substation Mission Viejo, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Orange County, Calif. from October 2002 to October 2003.

The ninth award presented was the Chief Hospital Corpsman George William “Doc” Piercy Award. This award was presented to Dental Technician 2nd Class Jon Rush for outstanding support in the performance of his duties while serving as Dental Fleet Liaison Representative for Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms, Calif., in 2002. Rush was unable to receive the award last year because he was deployed.

The 10th and final award presented was the Career Planner of the Year Award. The recipient of the Career Planner of the Year Award must show exceptionally high qualifications and motivation in retaining and aiding the quality Marine to sustain his future career. The recipient of the award was Master Sgt. Mark McKay for meritorious service while serving as Career Retention Specialist, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific, 2003.



Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. William “Spider” Nyland presents Master Sgt. Mark McKay with the Career Planner of the Year Award for meritorious service while serving as Career Retention Specialist, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, 3d Marine Division, III marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific, 2003, Sept. 15. The Enlisted Awards Presentation and Parade was held during the second day of the three-day Modern Day Marine Exposition. Eight Marines, one Navy Corpsman and one Navy dental technician received awards for outstanding service to the Marine Corps.
Photo by: Cpl. Sara A. Carter

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...7?opendocument


Ellie