CAMP LEATHERNECK,
Afghanistan-Corporal Rory MacEachern, a military
policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st
Marine Logistics Group (Forward), is congratulated
by his commanding officer, Maj. William Stophel,
upon being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device
here, July 30, 2010. During combat logistics patrols
ranging from March through May, the North Attleboro,
Mass., native, distinguished himself through
superior performance of his duties as a machine
gunner. On more than one occasion MacEachern was
able to effectively eliminate enemy threats with
precision fire from his position as a gunner,
allowing each combat logistics patrol to continue
safely. |
|
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (MCN, 7/30/2010) — When
duty calls, Cpl. Rory MacEachern fires back with precision,
and for his efforts in support of International Security
Assistance Force operations he was awarded for valor in a
ceremony here, July 30.
MacEachern, a military policeman with Combat Logistics
Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), was
presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
with Combat Distinguishing Device by his commanding officer,
Maj. William Stophel.
During combat logistics patrols ranging from March through
May, the North Attleboro, Mass., native, distinguished
himself through superior performance of his duties as a
machine gunner.
On one occasion while serving as a Mark II .50 caliber
machine gun operator, MacEachern's convoy came under heavy
small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Due to his
vigilance, he was able to identify the enemy fighter and
after engaging with his crew served weapon, the threat was
eliminated.
On yet another instance, MacEachern proved himself just as
effective when equipped with a MK-19 Grenade Launcher.
While providing security during the evacuation of a wounded
comrade, the convoy came under indirect fire. Amid the chaos
of sustained enemy fire, the calm and collected MacEachern
was able to eliminate two enemy grenadiers and a
mortar team while displaying expert precision with
his designated weapon, actions which allowed the
convoy to safely exit the danger area and |
| continue with its
mission. |
Though he may have been the one pulling the trigger, the
humble Marine made it clear that the actions for which he
was awarded for were the result of nothing more than team
effort.
“At one point, Lance Cpl. [Anthony] Johnson was actually
pointing out the threats for me, directing my fire,” said
MacEachern. “We worked together to move our truck into
position, and once I was able to positively identify the
enemy, I engaged.”
MacEachern noted that one of the logistics patrols was
moving a bit slower than usual, but enemy threat was low and
little more than an improvised explosive devise or two were
expected.
Regardless, the gunner and his team remained aware of their
surroundings and acted appropriately.
Alpha Company's First Sgt. James Gillespie would have
expected nothing less from a Marine of MacEachern's stature.
“He's an outstanding young Marine and was our choice for
being combat meritoriously promoted to his current rank,”
said Gillespie, a native of Stafford, Va.
“Being able to make those kinds of decisions; the correct
decisions, in this environment says a lot about him,” said
Gillespie. “Someone else in his position could have
hesitated for too long or just opened fire without taking
everything into consideration first, but being the
experienced gunner he is, he did an outstanding job.”
While MacEachern realizes the meaning behind receiving the
small bronze “V” pinned to the orange and green ribbon of
his new medal, he said he and his fellow Marines did exactly
what others would have done in their shoes.
“It's just one of those, ‘right place, at the right time'
kind of things,” he said. “For me, today is just another day
in Afghanistan.” |
