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3d CAG Marines Awarded Bronze Star
(July 12, 2011) | 
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (MCN - 7/8/2011) — Two Marines
with 3d Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, received
Bronze Stars during an awards ceremony here, July 1. |
Maj. Christopher W. Rogers, team leader, 3d Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Gunnery Sgt. Christian W. Murdock, team chief, 3d CAG, are presented with the Bronze Star by Col. Paul Lebidine, commanding officer for 3d CAG, July 1,
2011. The Marines received the awards for multiple operations which resulted in a reduced ability to fund insurgent operations through a decline of enemy activity and increased security in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Courtesy Photo |
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Gunnery Sgt. Christian W. Murdock and Maj. Christopher W. Rogers were
awarded for meritorious service while serving with 3d CAG, 3rd
Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, from October 2010
to April 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Murdock,
from Aliso Viejo, Calif., served as the team chief for the unit while in
Afghanistan. According to his award citation, he trained and guided
commander's emergency relief project purchasing officers and pay agents
for eleven infantry companies to properly create, submit, monitor and
close out deliberate projects, micro-grants and bulk funds. This
resulted in the processing and supervision of 143 deliberate projects,
77 micro-grants and 24 bulk fund draws worth more than 10 million
dollars.
Murdock was the purchasing officer for more than 45
kilometers of road projects. He successfully managed the Marjah sapling
distribution project that distributed 70,000 sapling trees to local
farmers, and he personally originated multiple school supply projects
that provided much needed supplies to children and teachers throughout
Southern Marjah.
Rogers, from Bakersfield, Calif., served as the
team leader for the unit while deployed. According to his award
citation, Rogers is credited for shaping the future of reconstruction
and development in Marjah. He supervised and coordinated the efforts of
eleven infantry companies' civil military affairs sections throughout a
hostile battlefield, resulting in 143 deliberate projects, 77
micro-grants and 24 bulk fund draws, totaling more than 10 million
dollars worth of economic development.
Rogers was the project
manager for highly visible projects in Marjah. He coordinated the
opening and reconstruction of several schools including the Marjah High
School, Koru Chareh School and the Afsal Chareh School. He led the
construction of the comprehensive health center, the district governor's
compound, Loy Chareh Bazaar refurbishment and 41 kilometers of road
improvements. He initiated a temporary teachers' contract that resulted
in 1,000 additional students in Marjah.
The combined effects of
Roger and Murdock throughout the area of operation resulted in
degradation in enemy activity, increased security for the citizens of
Marjah, enhanced economic activity and development and a direct
reduction in poppy propagation.
3d CAG's mission is to conduct
activities which enhance the relationship between the military and host
nations through application of civil affairs specialty skills in areas
normally the responsibility of civil governments. | |
By USMC Sgt. Marcy Sanchez
I MEF
Copyright 2011
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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