Photo By Sgt. Tabitha Bartley | Marines and civilians from the Provost Marshal’s Office pose for a picture with...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Michael Rivera, a civilian police officer at the Provost Marshal’s Office was awarded the Purple Heart by Col. Barry C. Neulen, the commanding officer of Security Battalion, Nov. 22, at the PMO.
In 2009 then-Gunnery Sgt. Rivera was wounded in combat while deployed to Afghanistan when a road-side bomb exploded.
“During the ball we all saw the message from the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps talking about the Marine Corps and what it’s all about,” said Neulen. “Marines are saving lives and being heroes and I am proud to award one of those heroes. Rivera is a hero not only for what he did while he was in the Marine Corps but also what he does here. ”
“I have mixed emotions about receiving this award,” said Rivera. “It happened two years ago, and the medal is not for me. It’s for the Marine who died.”
Los Angeles Times wrote about the explosion that killed Lance Cpl. Justin J. Swanson, 21. Swanson was born in Fountain Valley and reared in Tustin, Buena Park, Corona and Anaheim.
“Swanson was killed Nov. 10, 2009, when a roadside bomb exploded beneath the Humvee he was driving in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province, on the Pakistani border,” read the article.
Three others, including Rivera, were injured. Swanson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton.
After the ceremony, Rivera was concerned more about talking about Swanson than his own experience that day. Los Angeles Times referred to Swanson as Rivera’s right-hand man.
“Rivera was a few feet away,” read Los Angeles Times. “He saw a spurt of sand and dirt. He limped to the Humvee: his leg was fractured, though he only realized it later. In River’s memory, the scene plays out in silence.”
Rivera spoke to Swanson’s mother a number of times joking with her that her son would be the one bringing him home.
“When it came down to it,” said Rivera, “him not coming home, it was hard.”
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2011 09:30 |
| Story ID: | 80704 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 226 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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