Former Combat Center Marine Awarded Silver Star
(December 27, 2010)
Sergeant William W. Rollins salutes after receiving a Silver Star during a ceremony at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Dec. 17, 2010. The Silver Star is the Nation's third-highest award.
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS,
Calif. (MCN - 12/21/2010) — A former Combat Center Marine
was awarded the Silver Star for valor in Afghanistan during
a ceremony on Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Parade Field Dec.
17, 2010.
Sergeant William W. Rollins earned the nation's
third-highest award for demonstrating courage under fire in
action against the enemy June 19, 2008, while serving as 1st
Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon, Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th
Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
During a patrol to the village of Dowlatabad, in Balkh
province Afghanistan, Rollins squad was ambushed. His squad
was pinned down and could not find a way out. Rollins' found
himself on the far left of the squad and furthest from the
fire. After a quick assessment, he seemed to be the only one
mobile enough to create a distraction, his only hope to free
his Marines from the enemy's fire and get them to safety.
With machine guns and rocket propelled grenades flying at
the Marines, Rollins rushed to within 30 meters of the enemy
positions, leveled his machine gun and provided suppressive
fire, allowing his men to escape the immediate ambush area,
according to the award citation.
Once his Marines withdrew, Rollins courageously maneuvered
through enemy fire to rejoin his squad where he continued to
attack the squad enemy while the squad's wounded Marines
were extracted. Then, with
enemy fire still impacting around him, Rollins
observed a Marine hit, rushed to his aid and dragged
him to safety. Rollins aggressive actions in the
face of the enemy drew fire onto his own position
and provided his squad the reprieve they needed to
maneuver to safety, according to the award citation.
Marines and those closest to him aboard the Combat Center
attended the ceremony to honor their brother for his
bravery.
“Sergeant Rollins is truly a hero, his actions are
incredible and selfless,” said Lt. Col. John M. Reed,
battalion commander, 2nd Bn., 7th Marines. His actions on
the battlefield place him in the company of many other
notable Marines in history.
Reed also noted that Rollins' actions were taken solely to
ensure the safety of his brothers on the battlefield. “The
silver star is awarded to anyone who distinguishes himself
in extraordinary heroism and gallantry,” Reed added.
Several of his fellow Marines said the medal was
well-deserved, that Rollins bravery epitomized the
values every Marine, past and present, lives by.
“It doesn't surprise me that he got it,” said
Edgar Figueroa, a former active duty Marine and friend of
Rollins. “He's a very humble guy. He would give you the
shirt
Sergeant William W. Rollins
stands in front of Marines from his unit, 2nd Battalion, 7th
Marines, during a ceremony in which Rollins was awarded the
Silver Star, the Nation's third-highest award in a ceremony
at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Parade
Field Dec. 17, 2010.
off his back. He is a normal guy,
who got put in an extraordinary situation, did what
any Marine or squad leader would do; protect his
squad, even if it means his own life. I'm proud of
him.”
After the ceremony, Rollins stood proud and humbled as the
Silver Star hung from his chest and old friends greeted him
with smiles and congratulations.
“I feel extremely honored,” Rollins said. “The only thing
going through my head at the time was how can we move to
cover safely. This [award] was the last thing on my mind. It
is quite an honor, and it's nice to be back.”
Rollins and his wife, Alexandra, expect a baby girl in
February. He plans to enroll in a fire fighter academy in
Houston.
U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Emari Traffie
Article and photos by LCpl. Sarah Anderson
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Copyright 2010
