 |
Marine Awarded For Combat Heroism
(March 8, 2011) | 
|
|
|
|
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2011) – Staff Sgt.
Ryan Stogner, a landing support specialist with the Adviser Training
Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, was awarded the Bronze Star with
combat distinguishing device at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25. |
Stogner, a 30 year old from New Orleans, received the honor for his
heroic service as a station team chief of the Police Advisor Team,
Kajaki District Police, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, during
a seven-month deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan. Stogner,
then a sergeant, played a pivotal role in the success of both his
team and the Afghan Police he oversaw, demonstrating a great range
of professional skill, tactical expertise and compassionate
leadership, according to his summary of action.
“The threat
level was very high where we were,” Stogner said. “My main mission
was to bring home my Marines the same way they left the wire.”
Being third in command of a unique team of foreign advisors,
Stogner was charged with dynamic and challenging missions |
|
Staff Sgt. Ryan Stogner, a landing support
specialist with Adviser Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, is presented a Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device
by Lt. Col. Adolfo Garcia, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment
commanding officer, at the 43 Area football field, Feb. 25, 2011. |
|
that ranged from squad leadership, senior leadership mentor, chief
instructor and tactical advisor. He carried a significant portion of
the team's mission on his shoulders, and exceeded in the performance
of his duties, including those outside his formal training. |
|
Stogner and his team work diligently to ensure that Afghan police under
their charge were well versed in a wide array of tactical skills,
enabling them to become an effective fighting force and improving their
capability to work alongside with Marines. His time and experience as a
police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department also proved vital
in developing the Afghan Police focused and community-oriented policing
skills.
“The LAPD made me a better leader,” said Stogner. “They
made me a better communicator. You have to be able to take any situation
and be an active thinker.”
A certain trust has formed between the
Marines and the Afghan police, which helped make communication with them
a lot easier, Stogner said.
Stogner's team engaged in more than
60 dismounted, partnered combat operations alongside the Afghan National
Police in an area with no Afghan Army forces, and an extremely high
Taliban presence. During one of the firefights, Stogner demonstrated
calm and courageous leadership to rescue a Marine and repel enemy
combatants during an enemy ambush. The attack began with an improvised,
explosive-device explosion only 10 feet away from where Stogner stood.
“When I was lying on the ground, I looked up and the smoke cleared,
I immediately saw my number-two man lying on the ground,” said Stogner.
“The only thing I cared about was getting to him and making sure he was
okay.”
While suffering from a concussion, Stogner ignored the
pain and quickly began directing his team to provide security and rescue
the casualty. His team began taking accurate machine-gun fire shortly
after heading toward the casualty collection point as they carried the
casualty. Stogner quickly got his team out of danger and directed them
to return suppressive fire. After completing a 1000-meter movement to
the casualty collection point, Stogner then volunteered to escort an
explosive ordinance disposal team to the scene. Only after all Marines
and Afghan Police were back in friendly lines did Stogner seek medical
attention.
“That was the first time I had to lead Marines in
combat dismounted patrols,” said Stogner. “It was the first opportunity
I've ever had to lead as a squad leader, with a group of Marines
depending on me, making the decisions to keep them alive. It was
humbling to say the least.”
The ceremony was attended by
Stogner's family, fellow police officers from the LAPD and by the
Marines and sailors of 1/11.
“All of my experiences in the past
12 years in the Marine Corps and as a police officer came together and
allowed me to be a good leader for my guys and helped us accomplish the
mission,” said Stogner. | |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Alfred V. Lopez
1st Marine Division
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article
|
Bronze Star Recipients |
Other Heroes |
|
