First Lt. Rebecca M. Turpin received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for her actions under enemy fire during the battalion’s last deployment to Afghanistan from October 2008 to May 2009. The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is awarded for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. The “V” device denotes an act of uncommon valor performed during direct contact with an enemy force.
“Throughout the mission, Lieutenant Turpin led by example and set the standard of calm under fire,” Jernigan wrote. “She ensured that her Marines effectively fought their way out of dangerous situations and completed her logistics resupply mission. Her efforts ensured the delivery of vital combat logistics support to FOB Musa Qalah while eliminating several enemy threats along the way.”
Turpin said it was the Marines’ actions during the two and one-half day patrol which enabled mission success and ensured the safe return of all personnel.
“No matter how long the patrol went on, how tired and hungry the Marines and corpsmen were, they did everything they were asked to do and more,” Turpin said. “They supported one another, each did his own part, and by all elements of the patrol working so fluidly and efficiently, this patrol concluded with zero casualties. I think that the success of a logistics patrol is not measured when everything goes perfectly, but by how the Marines and corpsmen react and behave when everything goes wrong.”
Turpin humbly said receiving the medal meant her superiors saw fit to award her for doing the job she was assigned to do. “I am honored by the award, but feel that I was completing my assigned duties as per my billet, by directing the Marines and corpsmen that themselves completed the mission and made our deployment a success,” Turpin said.
Excerpted from this Article by Lance Cpl. Alesha R. Guard, Marine Corps Base Hawaii
