Award presented to ‘Darkside’ Marine

Photo By Cpl. Paul S. Martinez | Lt. Col. Jeff Kenney, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with 1st. Sgt. Jack L. Shumate, company first sergeant, I Co., 3/4, after awarding him a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat “V” for valor device at the bachelors’ enlisted quarters’ courtyard, March 13, 2014. “It’s a very deserving award.” Kenney said.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

03.13.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Paul S. Martinez 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, or ‘Darkside,’ gathered at their bachelors’ enlisted quarters’ courtyard to honor a medal recipient, March 13, 2014.

1st. Sgt. Jack L. Shumate, company firsts sergeant, India Co., 3/4, was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat “V” for valor device.

“[The Marines] had taken a couple of [improvised explosive devices],” said Lt. Col. Jeff Kenney, commanding officer, 3/4. “[Shumate] was able to grasp control of the environment, secure the landing zone and call for evacuation while under intense fire. It’s a very deserving award.”

The Marines were awarded for their service conducting combat operations in Afghanistan during the unit’s deployment in March 2013.

“My Marines, most importantly, did an outstanding job performing at a level we were expected to,” Shumate said. “We had no doubts during the deployment.”

Darkside’s last deployment was one of the final major operations for the battalion. They are slated to be deactivated this summer.

• Date Taken: 03.13.2014
• Date Posted: 03.20.2014 12:53
• Story ID: 122304
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US