1st Sgt. Anthony J. Velarde, a first sergeant with 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, patrols in Sarbesha, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as a company gunnery sergeant for Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5rd Marine Regiment, in May, 2012. Velarde was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device for his actions in March that year, when he assisted Marines who were pinned-down during an attack by insurgents.