Col. Michael E. Langley and Maj. John Nindl II received Bronze Star medals for their actions while deployed to Afghanistan from November 2008 to August 2009, during an awards ceremony Friday at the monument in front of 3rd Marine Division Headquarters building on Camp Courtney.
Langley, now the officer in charge for the Special Operations Training Group for III Marine Expeditionary Force, received the award for meritorious service in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as the senior mentor to the commanding general of the 201st Corps, Afghan national army.
He also served as a commander of the Regional Corps Advisory Command — Central, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Langley created a comprehensive mentoring program that transformed the 201st Corps into a war fighting that successfully executes counterinsurgency operations," according to the citation.
"The RCAC staff and the service on the ground executing the RCAC 3-6 campaign plan were the contributing factors to the success of the command," said Langley, a Forth, Texas, native. "When Marines are assigned a mission we have a commitment to excellence to get it done. It was good to see other services and follow our lead."
As an exemplary leader, role model and the personnel standards he established in the critical areas of accountability and preparation for combat were the hallmarks of his leadership, according to his citation.
These metrics established a solid foundation for the safety and success of the mentoring teams and their Afghanistan National Army counterparts.
"I appreciate, and will always cherish, the opportunity I had to lead the Regional Corps Advisor Command-Central and help the Afghan national army and the people of Afghanistan achieve stability and security in their country," Langley said.
Langley also had the opportunity to present a Bronze Star medal 'in lieu of second award' to Nindl.
Nindl, now the operations officer for 3rd Marine Division, received the award for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations against enemy personnel as the executive operations officer for 3d Brigade, 201st Corps Afghan national army while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom from November 2008 to August.
A native of Claremont, N.H., he coordinated the efforts of a multi-national and multi-service staff of advisors including French, Greek, Portuguese and American military personnel while the senior mentor to the 201st Corps. His tireless efforts to promote unified mentoring across a multi-lingual group of coalition of advisors encouraged a synergistic approach to ensure success across the 201st Corps area of operations, according to his award citation.
"Nindl was one of the driving forces that was involved in the planning and executing of Operation Castle," the citation added.
The combined operation, consisting of 800 men from the Afghan national army, French and U.S. service members, involved multiple reconnaissance and security patrols throughout six villages in the area.
He demonstrated his abilities on and off the battlefield when his quick reaction force received fire from enemy personnel Ak-47's, PKM and Rocket-Propelled Grenades. Despite the heavy volume of fire, he immediately and expertly directed his men through the kill zone, preventing any friendly casualties.
According to the citation, Nindl's meticulous planning and years of experience contributed to the success of the mission.