Stories

Cpl. Ryan Costea, a rifleman with Company D, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division, listens as Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Foreman, a career planner, explains Costea’s available choices to him in Billings, Mont., Oct. 20, 2012. - Cpl. Ryan Costea, a rifleman with Company D, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division, listens as Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Foreman, a career planner, explains Costea’s available choices to him in Billings, Mont., Oct. 20, 2012.

Capt. Michael Roberson, a UH-1N Huey utility helicopter pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a simulated close-air support mission at Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. Roberson is a Columbia, S.C., native and has deployed four times to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsa-Appiah/Released) - Capt. Michael Roberson, a UH-1N Huey utility helicopter pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a simulated close-air support mission at Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. Roberson is a Columbia, S.C., native and has deployed four times to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsa-Appiah/Released)

Montford Point Marines Sgt. Riley A. McCray and Cpl. Lynn L. Williams are presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by Capt. Caitlin T. Ferrarell at a ceremony here Sept. 21. Ferrarell is the Inspector-Instructor for Detachment 2, Beach and Terminal Operations Company A, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, in Concord, Calif. The pair earned the award by presidential order for being a few of the 22,000 African-American Marines to serve in the Corps between 1942 and 1949 during a time of common racism and segregation. Marine Reserve units from 22 states around the nation have been tasked to deliver 78 medals to Montford Point Marines who weren’t in attendance at the July ceremony in Washington, D.C. - Montford Point Marines Sgt. Riley A. McCray and Cpl. Lynn L. Williams are presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by Capt. Caitlin T. Ferrarell at a ceremony here Sept. 21. Ferrarell is the Inspector-Instructor for Detachment 2, Beach and Terminal Operations Company A, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, in Concord, Calif. The pair earned the award by presidential order for being a few of the 22,000 African-American Marines to serve in the Corps between 1942 and 1949 during a time of common racism and segregation. Marine Reserve units from 22 states around the nation have been tasked to deliver 78 medals to Montford Point Marines who weren’t in attendance at the July ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Marines begin their rifle qualification after learning knowledge from their Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course training at the Weapon’s Training Battalion on Oct. 8. Marines came from all across the country to attend the course. - Marines begin their rifle qualification after learning knowledge from their Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course training at the Weapon’s Training Battalion on Oct. 8. Marines came from all across the country to attend the course.

Hershel “Woody” Williams accepted the dedication of a 68,000 square foot military training center in his name in Fairmont, W. Va. Oct. 18. Williams earned his Medal of Honor during the battle for Iwo Jima in 1945. Since then, Williams has supported veterans and his West Virginia community by raising awareness and advocating for veterans’ rights around the country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released) - Hershel “Woody” Williams accepted the dedication of a 68,000 square foot military training center in his name in Fairmont, W. Va. Oct. 18. Williams earned his Medal of Honor during the battle for Iwo Jima in 1945. Since then, Williams has supported veterans and his West Virginia community by raising awareness and advocating for veterans’ rights around the country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released)

Sgt. Dante Capane receives the Reservist of the Year Award from Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Michael P. Barrett, at Lejeune Field, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 26, 2012. Of the 39,000 Reserve Marines, Capane was chosen to receive the award by the Marine Corps League. - Sgt. Dante Capane receives the Reservist of the Year Award from Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Michael P. Barrett, at Lejeune Field, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 26, 2012. Of the 39,000 Reserve Marines, Capane was chosen to receive the award by the Marine Corps League.

Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve, accepts an award from Melanie L. Young, president of the Molly Marine chapter of the Women Marines Association, during a ceremony where the local Molly Marine chapter presented MARFORRES with an award plaque at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 15. The Molly Marine chapter was awarded the Ruth and Dick Broe Award, the most prestigious award given to WMA chapters for overall outstanding chapter achievement, at their most recent national convention and professional development conference that took place in Philadelphia from Aug. 30 through Sept. 4. - Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve, accepts an award from Melanie L. Young, president of the Molly Marine chapter of the Women Marines Association, during a ceremony where the local Molly Marine chapter presented MARFORRES with an award plaque at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 15. The Molly Marine chapter was awarded the Ruth and Dick Broe Award, the most prestigious award given to WMA chapters for overall outstanding chapter achievement, at their most recent national convention and professional development conference that took place in Philadelphia from Aug. 30 through Sept. 4.

Marines assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion congratulate Staff Sgt. Alec Haralovich, after he was presented the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third highest award for combat valor. After Haralovich was shot twice in his body armor by an insurgent, he destroyed an enemy stronghold with a rocket and led his Marines on a two-hour assault after their ambushers during an Afghanistan deployment in 2011. Haralovich is a reconnaissance Marine assigned to E Company, 4th Reconnaissance Bn., 4th Marine Division. - Marines assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion congratulate Staff Sgt. Alec Haralovich, after he was presented the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third highest award for combat valor. After Haralovich was shot twice in his body armor by an insurgent, he destroyed an enemy stronghold with a rocket and led his Marines on a two-hour assault after their ambushers during an Afghanistan deployment in 2011. Haralovich is a reconnaissance Marine assigned to E Company, 4th Reconnaissance Bn., 4th Marine Division.

Brig. Gen. James S. Hartsell receives the Marine Corps colors from Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere during the 4th Marine Division change of command ceremony at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Sept. 8. The passing of the colors is a symbol of exchanging command responsibility and leadership. Lariviere will serve at the Pentagon after two and a half years of leading 4th MarDiv. - Brig. Gen. James S. Hartsell receives the Marine Corps colors from Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere during the 4th Marine Division change of command ceremony at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Sept. 8. The passing of the colors is a symbol of exchanging command responsibility and leadership. Lariviere will serve at the Pentagon after two and a half years of leading 4th MarDiv.