Photo By Cpl. Nicole Lavine | Lt. Col. James G. Jonston, the reserve liaison officer here, received a Bronze Star...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — The Combat Center's commanding general presented two Marines with awards at the base of the flag pole outside the command deck building Wednesday morning.
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, the commanding general of the Combat Center, awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal to Lt. Col. James G. Jonston, the reserve liaison officer here, and a Meritorious Service Medal to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ernesto Hernandez, the former Combat Center personnel officer.
Jonston, a native of Cookeville, Tenn., was awarded the Bronze Star for his service as the transition team chief of Brigade Border Transition Team 4210, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, from August 15, 2008 to January 17, according to the award citation.
Jonston and his 11-man team gave crucial logistical support to 5th Brigade helping them attain provisions such as drinking water, food, fuel and vehicle maintenance. This support increased the success of training and patrols on the borders of Iraq, Syria and Jordan, and contributed to the resources needed to train Iraqi Security Forces.
"I'm very grateful to my boss [Linda Barnes, assistant chief of staff] who allowed me to go on that deployment," Jonston said. "I'm certainly honored to receive this award and pleased to be here in Twentynine Palms."
Jonston was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his duties as the deputy assistant chief of staff and reserve liaison officer here from March 28, 2006 to July 7, 2009. Jonston's efforts were a factor in the overall success of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, according to the citation.
Hernandez, a native of Baldwin Park, Calif., received a Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding duties as the officer in charge of the Installation Personnel Administration Center's customer service section, and as the officer in charge of center personnel from July 15, 2005 to July 15, 2009.
During Hernandez's management of these sections, the customer service section improved the efficiency of unit diary reporting by 23 percent. He also coordinated staffing requirements for 4,000 Marines, yielding a 44 percent increase to staffing levels across the command.
Hernandez said he felt honored to receive the award, but made it clear he did not work alone.
"We as leaders are the ones who get recognition, but it's those junior Marines who execute," Hernandez said.
Hernandez has orders to report to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., upon the termination of his duties here.
Jonston has orders to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., to apply his skills in reserve affairs, he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2009 12:07 |
| Story ID: | 35895 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 277 |
| Downloads: | 181 |
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