Three Marines awarded Bronze Star medals for Fallujah action & other combat awards

Summary Action: First Sergeant Justin D. LeHew is enthusiastically recommended for the Bronze Star with Combat 'V' for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations while serving as Company First Sergeant, Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, while fighting in the Battle of Najaf, from 5 August to 27 August 2004.

In response to a Mahdi Militia attack on Iraqi Security Forces on 05 August, Company C was ordered to seize key terrain surrounding Revolutionary Square in the heart of Najaf bordering the exclusion zone. As Company First Sergeant, he was repeatedly used in a multitude of ways in order to enable the company's attack against the enemy. Largely dependent on our organic HMMWV's and 7-ton trucks to move, the company was repeatedly forced to fight a battle on two fronts; one where the dismounted infantry were heavily engaged and another where our vehicles were staged at the logistical resupply point. As a result, he was time and again forced to move from position to position to ensure the safety and accountability of the company.

Upon making first contact with the enemy, Company C came under a hailstorm of RPG, machinegun, sniper, and mortar fire. Within minutes, thunderous explosions of 82mm mortars were landing within the company's lines wounding 3 Marines. First Sergeant LeHew left his position of cover and immediately went to the impact site to direct company corpsman to triage and assist the wounded. More mortar rounds impacted and he stood completely un-phased by the risks to his life. When complete, he moved approximately 500 meters to the company's combat trains staging point where on 3 separate occasions, he directed the fires of vehicle mounted weapons against enemy snipers and militia attempting to penetrate the rear lines of the company. For the next 6 hours, he repeatedly moved back and forth under the crack of sniper fire overhead and mortar explosions all around, to communicate the enemy situation and status of the Marines with the Company Commander. It must be made clear that even moving through the cemetery was extremely dangerous, filled as it was by thousands of crypts and tombs that offered concealment for enemy movement and under frequent accurate mortar fire. It is not an exaggeration to say that 1stSgt Lehew completely disregarded the risks, even as Marines were killed and wounded around him, and found his way to every hot-spot on the battlefield.

As the Battalion began its push into the Najaf cemetery, Charlie Company was tasked to clear enemy forces to the west out of the cemetery. This task included searching through hundreds of underground tombs and tunnels and identifying enemy weapons caches that could be further exploited. Within 50 meters of the initial advance, the company maneuvered against a well-positioned enemy defense and immediately came under a precise combined arms attack of mortar and machinegun fire. As the lead elements continued to advance under numerous exchanges of hand grenades and light machinegun fire, an attached platoon sustained three casualties and 1 killed in action. Without hesitation, First Sergeant LeHew assembled his casualty collection team and ran north along the company's lines under heavy enemy fire. Not knowing how far away the adjacent unit was, they pushed on alone, until they came upon the wounded Marines. Still under a barrage of mortar and machine gun fire, First Sergeant LeHew supervised the treatment and immediate evacuation of the wounded and dead allowing the attached platoon in contact to continue with the fight.

After advancing roughly 400 meters through the cemetery, the company reached its limit of advance. For the next 60 minutes, 1stSgt Lehew continually exposed himself to enemy fire to gain accountability of the company. During this consolidation phase, an enemy mortar impacted directly on the command post of an attached platoon to the left flank of the company. This blast resulted in three urgent medevacs to include the platoon commander, radio operator, and platoon guide. In seconds, First Sergeant LeHew and his medevac vehicle moved to the front of the company's newly formed consolidated lines. He was now completely exposed to enemy machinegun fire to our direct front. Arriving on the scene, he began to treat the wounded, stabilizing the Marines' extensive shrapnel wounds and preparing them for extract. His quick actions undoubtedly helped save the lives of all of the Marines.

The following day, the company moved south, fighting its way into a position bordered on three sides by Mahdi Militia strongpoints. Upon arriving, the company began taking fire from multiple story buildings on key terrain overlooking friendly units. Pinned down by enemy snipers and mortars, First Sergeant LeHew courageously moved throughout the company encouraging the Marines to return fire and hold this key terrain. While holding this position, which was a registered enemy mortar target, the company sustained an additional 6 wounded and two killed in action. On every occasion he was responsible to ensure that the treatment and evacuation of Marines was conducted. On one such case, he bypassed the battalion casualty collection point and took it upon himself to personally evac a Marine with a sucking chest wound all the way back to the FOB where he could receive more adequate treatment. Realizing the need to stabilize the Marine with no time to spare, his timely decision-making made the difference in saving this Marines life.

On the afternoon of August 12, Charlie Company commenced a coordinated attack with three platoons of Iraqi National Guard and a detachment of U.S. Army Special Forces, aimed at one of the centers of Moqtada al Sadr's leadership in Najaf. When one of the company's Marines was wounded from an enemy grenade, First Sergeant LeHew immediately responded to assist in the evacuation. Again showing little regard for his own welfare and incredible dedication to his Marines, he purposely exposed himself on numerous occasions to draw enemy fire allowing an opportunity for his Marines to advance into the building and evacuate the wounded Marine.

On 24 August, Company C was tasked with seizing a Mahdi Militia strongpoint 300 meters west of the Imam Ali Shrine. Having had months to prepare this position, the militia had created a complex defense in depth. The avenues of approach were registered mortar targets and were littered with improvised explosive devices. RPG gunners, heavy machineguns and snipers also covered these sectors of fire.

During the initial stages of this attack, First Sergeant LeHew acted as a guide to friendly platoons. He maintained an exposed position on a road that led to the company's objective and directed the movement of Marines arriving in armored vehicles. His efforts greatly reduced the confusion that was inevitable to occur under the barrage of mortars, hand grenades and sniper fire. On two occasions, after the entire company had been inserted into the attack, First Sergeant LeHew had to return to the AAV dismount point to direct adjacent units arriving into the fight. His actions in this regard were essential to keeping the single MSR leading into the Old City clear, prevented confusion among adjacent units, and limited the time our armored assets were exposed to enemy RPG fire at this critical intersection.

The stronghold the company held at the completion of this assault was vital to sustain operations aimed at continuing to apply pressure to the Mahdi Militia. In taking this position, the company sustained 10 casualties, one of which was urgent. Once again, his timely response enabled the company to continue the assault and successfully evacuated the Marines from the front lines. Now tasked to hold this position, the company began to build a defense that protected the battalion's single secure avenue into the Old City. The company would remain in this position for the next 48 hours. Realizing the health risks posed by the extremely poor and unsanitary residences, he enforced strict hygiene discipline, and established a plan to remove enemy KIA from our position.

This month long fight saw First Sergeant LeHew perform his duties in a manner above that expected of him. His combat leadership and judgment often meant the difference between life and death. On every occasion, under some of the most violent conditions imaginable, he performed his duties without fear. He is a warrior in every sense of the word who has time and again demonstrated bravery, compassion, and esprit de corps beyond comparison. First Sergeant LeHew inspired the Marines under his charge. His situational awareness and determination while under constant fire, was a force multiplier to the company's leadership. He is extremely deserving of recognition denoted by the Bronze Star with Combat "V".

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

SNM was in receipt of IDP during this period.

Recommended Citation: For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Company First Sergeant, Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force from 5 to 27 August 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. While defending against a Mahdi Militia attack on Iraqi security forces, the Company came under intense mortar, rocket, sniper, and machine-gun fire at Revolutionary Square, in the heart of Najaf, Iraq. First Sergeant LeHew fearlessly moved about the battlefield to points of contact. On three occasions, he directed the fires of vehicle-mounted weapons against enemy snipers and militia attempting to penetrate the rear lines of the Company. For six hours, he repeatedly moved back and forth under heavy sniper fire and mortar attack, ensuring safety and inspiring Marines. During heavy fighting in the Najaf cemetery, he moved to assist in the treatment and evacuation of nine wounded Marines and three killed in action. His timely decision-making made the difference between life and death for two of these Marines. Throughout this 22-day battle, his decisive leadership and courage against a determined foe inspired the Marines under his charge and led the Battalion's assault deep into enemy territory. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, First Sergeant LeHew reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

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