Marine Drill Instructor Receives Silver Star
by USMC Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla - February 15, 2012
(video below article)
Sgt. Phillip A. McCulloch Jr., drill instructor, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, steps off after receiving a Silver Star during the morning colors ceremony aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 10,
2012. McCulloch was awarded the medal for his actions during a six-hour engagement with insurgent forces in the Sangin district in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Jan. 8, 2011. Photo by
USMC Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla
SAN DIEGO (2/10/2012) - While performing a route reconnaissance in
the Sangin district, Afghanistan, Sgt. Phillip A. McCulloch Jr. and
his squad heard an explosion off to the northeast as they were
crossing the Helmand River. Moments later, his team was ambushed by
three machine gun positions and they took cover in the riverbank.
The coming engagement resulted in McCulloch, squad leader for
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Afghanistan, having
to make many critical decisions to ensure the safe return of his
21-man team, Jan. 8, 2011.
“I've always had aggressive
leaders in charge of me who accepted nothing less than perfection,”
said McCulloch, 23. “I never second-guessed myself.”
McCulloch personally led his squad on the counter-attack, even
taking time to destroy an enemy fighting position with an AT-4
anti-armor weapon. His squad then forced them to fall back by
maintaining constant pressure and by making use of their air support
and indirect fire capabilities.
“I was just doing my job. I
wanted to make sure my Marines were safe,” said McCulloch, who was
born in Arizona but raised in Texas. “It was just another day on the
job.”
Only after six hours of fighting and with his squad low
on ammunition did he return to friendly lines. During the engagement
he was wounded in the leg while trying to draw fire to reunite his
squad.
For these actions, McCulloch was presented a Silver Star
by Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general, MCRD San
Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, during a morning
colors ceremony aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego,
Feb. 10.
“He absolutely deserves that medal. He'll
probably see more medals like that in the future. His
courage under fire is unwavering,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher
M. Carlisle, company first sergeant, Company M, 3rd Recruit
Training Battalion. “He's the future of the Corps.”
The Silver Star is the third highest military
decoration and can be awarded to service members who show
extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the
United States.
“He was one of my [privates first
class] as a staff sergeant. He stood amongst his peers since
day one, always striving for more information, always
wanting to learn as much as he possibly could,” said
Carlisle. “I saw he had natural leadership skills.”
Now, McCulloch is using his combat experience to train the
next generation of Marines as a drill instructor for Company
M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.
“I came down here
to give back to the Marine Corps, as a drill instructor,”
said McCulloch. “I think my combat leadership as a whole,
not just that one day, has definitely impacted my leadership
and the way I look at things and down here at MCRD as well.”
McCulloch has been a drill instructor at the depot since
December 2011 and is in his first recruit training cycle.
“With this combat experience, maturity and understanding
of the way the Marine Corps works, he is definitely a person
I want in front of recruits,” said Carlisle.
Throughout his time in the Marine Corps, McCulloch has
proven he has what it takes to get the job done.
“His nickname was ‘Prodigy.' He stood above his peers,” said
Carlisle. “He really was made to be an infantry squad
leader.”
Although McCulloch is the Marine being
awarded, it's his squad he would like to recognize for their
actions.
“I don't think I earned it. My Marines
earned it,” said McCulloch. “I wish they could all have one.
I recognize them. They definitely earned it in my eyes.”
By USMC Lance Cpl. Eric Quintanilla Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego
Provided
through DVIDS Copyright 2012
U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. William
Faffler with motion imagery by LCpl Cameron Royer and Mr. Canaan
Brumley
