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NAVY/MARINE CORPS ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL
AWARDED TO
SERGEANT NICHOLAS J. CASTANEDA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
FOR
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES WHILE SERVING AS FIRE TEAM LEADER, COMPANY E, 4TH LIGHT ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE (LAR) BATTALION, TASK FORCE 3D LAR, REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 8, II MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2009 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 09. SERGEANT CASTANEDA SERVED WITH DISTINCTION OUTSIDE OF HIS PRIMARY MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY BY PLANNING AND LEADING 8 COMBAT MISSIONS TO INTERDICT SMUGGLERS ALONG THE SYRIAN BORDER. EXPOSING HIMSELF TO A HIGH LEVEL OF RISK, HIS ACTIONS RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE OF MORE THAN TWO MILLION CIGARETTES AND 3 AK-47S. HE ALSO FACILITATED COORDINATION BETWEEN U.S. AND IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ENABLING THE TIMELY PROSECUTION OF SENSITIVE TARGETS WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE JOINT COORDINATION CENTER AT COMBAT OUTPOST HEIDER. HE QUICKLY DISSEMINATED ENEMY THREAT UPDATES, IMPROVED THE FORCE PROTECTION OF THE COMPANY, AND REINFORCED THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN U.S. AND IRAQI SECURITY FORCES THROUGH HIS PERSONAL INITIATIVE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. SERGEANT CASTANEDA‘S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
15TH SEPTEMBER 2009
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