22nd MEU Marine to receive Bronze Star

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

02.24.2011

Courtesy Story

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is scheduled to receive high honors during a ceremony tomorrow, Feb. 25, for actions while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Sgt. Christopher J. Adams, 1st. Sgt. for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU, is scheduled to receive a Bronze Star with a Combat Distinguishing Device, which is added for acts of valor.

Adams will receive the award for his actions while deployed with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division (Fwd) from Oct. 28, 2009 to May 8, 2010.

During combat action, according to his award, on Nov. 16, 2009, Adams responded to a squad leader’s call for help and instantly reacted, telling the react squad leader he was joining the mission. He then proceeded to set the pace as the unit closed more than 1,500 meters to the enemy firing positions. His decisive leadership broke the enemy’s will to fight. On Nov. 19, 2009, he was again engaged by a fire-team sized enemy and responded with his own fire, rapidly communicated the enemy’s location and led a squad to violently close 300 meters through the enemy positions. Once the enemy’s will to fight was broken, he extended a helping hand to the innocent people in Zangal.

The award goes on to say, “Adams provided a model example for his Marines and Sailors, and instilled in them a ruthless desire to hunt for the enemy while assisting the local population. He performed exceptionally well in accomplishing all the company’s administrative tasks and served as a model example of a fighter and leader in combat.”

When given for valor, the Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Military.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission-capable Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and the Command Element.

Media representatives who wish to cover this event should contact the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs office no later than 12 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 25. Those covering the event should meet the 22nd MEU Public Affairs Officer at Camp Lejeune’s main gate no later than 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Call Capt. Binford Strickland at [phone] or email him at [e-mail] if you plan to attend the ceremony.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2011
• Date Posted: 02.24.2011 11:27
• Story ID: 66001
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US