Marine Posthumously Awarded Bronze Star For Valor
(March 21, 2011)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 15, 2011)
Gunnery
Sgt. Floyd Holley a Marine with 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment
1, 1st Marine Logistics Group was postumously awarded the Bronze
Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here,
Feb. 11.
The medal was accepted by his wife, Christen Holley,
from San Jose, Calif.
According to the award citation, during
Operation Roadhouse II, Holley, 36, from Casselberry, Fla., led his
team in a night assault to seize high ground west of Safar Bazaar.
It was known to be a key to the enemy's defensive plan for Safar
Bazaar. When they entered the area he immediately led his team into
action without hesitation or regard for his own safety and began to
clear the area of IED's.
Christen Holley from San Jose, Calif., accepts
the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device for her
husband, Gunnery Sgt. Floyd Holley, 36, from Casselberry, FL on Feb.
11, 2011. He was killed in action, Aug. 29, 2010, while conducting
counterinsurgency operations with 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD) in
Helmand province. Photo by USMC LCpl. Jerrick J. Griffin
Following the route, he
courageously cleared, 1st Platoon was able to seize the area. For
days without the chance of reinforcement, he searched, found and
disposed of numerous explosives in the surrounding area, often in
the face of enemy small arms fire. On Aug. 29, 2010, while disarming
an IED under enemy small arms fire, Holley was mortally wounded by a
premature detonation.
Four other EOD Marines were also
honored during the ceremony. Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Cullins was
posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
It was accepted by his father James Cullins.
“I feel honored
to accept this award for Joshua,” said James, from Simi Valley,
Calif. “I've been around these Marines a few years now, and I can
say he loved his job and every Marine he worked with here.”
Staff Sgt. Cullins, 28, also from Simi Valley, Calif., also gave the
ultimate sacrifice Oct. 19, 2010 while serving in Helmand province,
Afghanistan, with 1st EOD Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group
(Forward). When he wasn't serving his country with the Marine Corps,
he was serving his community as a police officer with the Los
Angeles Police Department.
Gunnery Sgt. Brendan McInerey,
from New York, Staff Sgt. Eric Olson, from Goldendale, Washington
and Staff Sgt. Robert Perez, from Phoenix each were awarded Purple
Heart Medals for wounds suffered while conducting combat operations
with 1st EOD Company in Helmand province.
“It just goes to
show you what these Marines go through and how dedicated they are to
their job,” said Capt. James Shelstad, company commander of 1st EOD
Company, 7th ESB, CLR-1, 1st MLG. “Each one of them wanted to stay
and continue helping their fellow Marines,” said Shelstad, 42,
Canby, Ore.
Honoring Fallen Bronze Star Recipient USMC
GSgt. Floyd Holley
Article By USMC LCpl. Jerrick J. Griffin
1st Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs
Copyright 2011
Gunnery
Sgt. Floyd Holley a Marine with 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment
1, 1st Marine Logistics Group was postumously awarded the Bronze
Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here,
Feb. 11.
