Okinawa Marine awarded Silver Star

Photo By Lance Cpl. Stefanie Pupkiewicz | Lieutenant Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Unit and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan, awards GySgt. Robert J. Blanton with a Silver Star in a ceremony Jan. 8. Blanton, a 15-year veteran of the Marine Corps, received the nation's third-highest award given for valor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy...in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom FY-08."  

01.08.2009

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By the III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs Office

OKINAWA, Japan - Gunnery Sergeant Robert J. Blanton was awarded a Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award given for valor in combat, in a ceremony Jan. 8.

Lieutenant Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan, presented Blanton with the award on behalf of the President of the United States.

According to the award citation (attached), Blanton, currently assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, III MEF, received the award "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy...in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom FY-08."

• Date Taken: 01.08.2009
• Date Posted: 01.09.2009 01:15
• Story ID: 28628