DVIDS News tells the story of Marine Corps Sergeant Franklin M. Simmons, Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He was awarded the Silver Star back in 2011, but it’s making the rounds on social media again, I guess. This is from his Silver Star citation;
[W]hile serving as Assistant Team Leader and Designated Marksman, Team 3, Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Forces Central Command (Forward) on 8 August 2008 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Conducting clearing operations in the village of Shewan in Farah province, Afghanistan, Corporal Simmons’ platoon was ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force. Volleys of intense rocket propelled grenade and machine gun fire disabled one of the platoon’s vehicles and trapped several Marines in the kill zone. Without regard for his own safety, Corporal Simmons exposed himself to intense enemy rocket propelled grenade and machine gun fire as he crawled to the top of a berm to locate targets for his Mark 11 sniper rifle. He resolutely ignored enemy machine gun rounds impacting within a foot of his position as he calmly employed his weapon to kill the enemy firing at his fellow Marines in the kill zone. Remaining in this exposed position to get the necessary observation of his targets, he killed an estimated 18 enemy fighters and wounded at least two others. Corporal Simmons’ devastating fires during an eight hour battle in oppressive heat were critical in saving the lives of his fellow Marines.
WOW !!!!
Another example of this being one of those young people that don’t sit and whine about “trigger words”.
It sounds as though he knows what real triggers are and isn’t afraid to pull one.
trigger words =
“Send it”
“On the way!”
“One away!”
…you get the idea!
Well done indeed, Marine. Kudos.
Good job, Marine.
Thank God for men like you.
It was the Battle of Shewan, a planned op that went haywire when the Marines were ambushed. It was 30 Marines versus an estimated 250-250 Taliban. The lapse between the August 2008 battle and the 2011 medal awards was reportedly due to the sheers number of medals awarded, including a Navy Cross and at least two Silver Stars. As for marksmanship, the account I read had the sniper at 21 rounds over the 8 hours, with 18 kills, 2 wounded. That was a fight and, at about 10 Taliban to each Marine, I’d say the Taliban were at a disadvantage from the start.
“They have us surrounded – the poor bastards.”
Math prodigy here. That was supposed to be 250-350 Taliban.
“This is my rifle…..”
Well done Marine. Semper Fi
Well done Marine! Damned well done. Glad you’re on our side.
A HOOAH ! ! !
from a Army brother
I wonder how he fits those balls in his utilities!
We have a special pocket in the trousers.
That’s good. In the Army we just had to let’em hang.
BZ Marine!
Killstreak confirmed!
Leave some for the rest of the Corps next time.
Seems to me like the Navy Cross would have been more fitting!
He smoked 18 Taliban while under fire?
That sounds like it should be more than a Silver Star, actually.
USMC is notoriously stingy with medals.
I guess we know what’s on his wallet.
http://www.frattanks.com/media/catalog/category/SamuelLJacksonholdingBMF_ft.jpg
An economy of style with superb results.
Well done, Marine.
Big brass ones. Well done, Marine.
CLANK! CLANK!
You can hear him coming down the hall.
Achievement unlocked!
Level-up in “Badass!”