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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - First Sgt. William Pinkerton IV,
Headquarters Battery first sergeant, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine
Regiment was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Valor during a
ceremony at 1st Battalion, 12th Marines motor pool,
March 18, 201.
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First Sgt. William Pinkerton IV, the
Headquarters Battery first sergeant of 1st Battalion, 12th Marine
Regiment, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Michael Roach, commanding
officer of 1st Bn., 12th Marines during Pinkerton's Bronze Star
Medal with Combat V ceremony, March 18, 2013. Pinkerton received a
Bronze Star Medal with Combat V for his efforts supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Lance Cpl. Nathan Knapke)
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“I'm humbled that I got to receive the Bronze Star,” said
Pinkerton, 39, and a native of Marion, N.Y. “I wouldn't have
been able to accomplish anything without the Marines I
served with.”
The Bronze Star Medal is an individual
military award of the U.S. armed forces. It may be awarded
for acts of heroism, merit or meritorious service in a
combat zone. When awarded for acts of heroism, the medal is
awarded with a V distinguishing device on the medal. The
Bronze Star is the fifth-highest combat decoration and the
10th-highest U.S. military award.
Pinkerton was recognized for his efforts supporting
combat operations as the company first sergeant for India
Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment from May 1 to
Nov. 30, 2010, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In
light of his own accomplishments, he wanted to recognize his
Marines.
“Marines stood an average of 1000 hours of
post throughout the deployment,” Pinkerton said. “Our
company had the largest area of operation during that time.
We never lost any gear or compromised safety for the
duration of the deployment. Our Marines really understood
what it meant to be disciplined in every aspect of the
deployment.”
Pinkerton provided battlefield
discipline during five operations against enemy forces in
Afghanistan's Helmand province. He led several patrols on
foot, which covered more than 300 kilometers throughout the
deployment.
“We need to have more Marines like 1st
Sgt. Pinkerton,” said Maj. Francisco Zavala, operations
officer for 4th Force Reconnaissance Company. Zavala was the
commanding officer of India Company while Pinkerton was the
company first sergeant. “He instilled discipline in every
Marine which helped make the whole deployment run smoothly.”
He frequently exposed himself to enemy fire in order
to successfully lead the Marines under his charge. He wanted
to show his Marines what it meant to be a leader.
“I
want Marines to understand that just because you may be in a
leadership position doesn't mean sit back and relax,”
Pinkerton said. “I made it a point to be out with my
Marines, always leading the fight from the front.”
While partnered with Afghan soldiers on July 22, 2010,
Pinkerton led the company in an immediate response to a
downed AH-1W Cobra helicopter. The partnered forces sprinted
three kilometers in full combat equipment and secured the
site.
“We reached the crash site first and it was
complete chaos — we started receiving rounds immediately
after arriving,” Zavala said. “The chaos didn't affect
Pinkerton, and he remained composed throughout the fight,
making sure everyone was in the correct position to keep
everyone alive.”
Pinkerton's combat leadership was
paramount to the company's success during several hostile
encounters, and he successfully targeted eight improvised
explosive device emplacements using supporting arms. He led
the company's Marines from the front during 16 IED, 19
device and 14 cache finds. He captured six detainees and
executed six friendly medical evacuations.
Every
engagement had extremely high chances for civilian
collateral damage. He ensured and personally exhibited a
high degree of military restraint and tactical patience
during the seven-month deployment.
Today, nearly
three years after his deployment, Pinkerton still strives to
make a difference as he continues his journey in the Corps.
“I don't plan on retiring from the Marine Corps
anytime soon,” Pinkerton said. “I love being around young
Marines. Young Marines join the Marine Corps to better
themselves. Helping those who want to grow as Marines and
human beings is what I love.”
By USMC Lance Cpl. Nathan Knapke
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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