MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- “It is not the critic who counts. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood, who strives valiantly.”
Lieutenant Col. Mitchell J. McCarthy, Commanding Officer, 1st Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, quoted former President Theodore Roosevelt in his opening remarks at a sizeable 1st ANGLICO award ceremony that recognized the recipients of a Bronze Star Medal, six Purple Heart Medals and numerous Navy Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals with Combat Distinguishing Devices Friday at the 41 Area chapel.
Major Shawn B. Beltran, brigade platoon commander, 1st ANGLICO, was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in support of Operation Steel Curtain in Iraq.
On Nov. 14, 2005, following a fatal mine attack in Ubaydi, Iraq, Beltran directed the care and evacuation of the wounded while under fire and orchestrated a helicopter attack that destroyed the enemy’s primary defensive position, ensuring the company’s advancement into the city.
“We received (rocket-propelled grenade) and small-arms fire, but we evacuated the guys and called in a couple of air strikes. We were able to suppress the enemy,” said Master Sgt. Joe A. McGuigan, operations chief, 1st ANGLICO, who served alongside Beltran and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for his actions.
“It’s an honor to serve,” added McGuigan, a 40-year-old from Scranton, Penn., “but the awards are for the ones that didn’t make it back.”
Sergeant Jason A. Wilson, who was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, received his award under circumstances similar to Beltran’s.
He was attached to an Army armored unit when his vehicle was hit by an IED Sept. 12, 2005.
“I was ejected from the vehicle, and all I remember is coming to on the ground and seeing the vehicle on fire,” said Wilson, supporting arms liaison team chief, 1st ANGLICO.
Wilson pulled the driver, who was not injured by the blast, from the burning vehicle and put him in a security position.
“As I made my way to the other door, I saw the gunner coming out of the turret, and I set him up (in the security position) by the driver,” Wilson recalled.
He went back to the vehicle for a third time and pulled an injured Marine from the vehicle, drug him to a makeshift garage on the side of the road, laid him in an oil-changing pit and provided initial medical treatment.
“You have to get away, ensure you have all your guys and pull security until someone else comes,” he said.
Wilson, who was a fire control team chief during 1st ANGLICO’s last deployment, also received the “Wild Eagle” award, which is presented to the “most noteworthy (FCT) chief.”
“I am extremely proud of our Marines and Sailors,” said 1st ANGLICO Sgt. Maj. Barry E. Morgan. “The reason they’re earning all these awards is, in order to deliver accurate fires on the enemy, we have to be close to the enemy.”
After the ceremony, the commanding officer had nothing but words of praise for his men.
“I think every Marine commander is humbled by the caliber of the Marines and Sailors under his command,” said McCarthy. “They epitomize what we look for.”