GULF OF ADEN – U.S. Marine Sgt. Franklin M. Simmons, Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, will be awarded the Silver Star aboard the USS Boxer, July 4.
Simmons will be awarded the Silver Star for heroic actions during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On August 8, 2008, while serving as the team leader for Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Simmons’ platoon was ambushed by enemy fighters. The intense enemy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire disabled a vehicle leaving Simmons’ fellow Marines in the “kill zone” of the ambush.
Without regard for his personal safety, he exposed himself to enemy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, crawled to a nearby berm and opened fire, killing 18 enemy fighters and wounding two more. Simmons’ actions were critical in saving the lives of his fellow Marines.
The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.
Simmons is currently deployed with the 13th MEU with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the Central Command Theatre Reserve Force, also providing maritime security operations and theatre security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
For more information please contact Capt Bradlee Avots, 13th MEU Message Team Officer in Charge, at bradlee.avots@boxer.usmc.mil