MARINE OF THE WEEK:

MARINE OF THE WEEK:

HERO PILOT
Maj. Robb T. McDonald
Marine Attack Squadron 211
Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
Sept. 14, 2012
Award: Silver Star

On Sept. 14, 2012, heavily armed enemy fighters infiltrated the Camp Bastion airfield, attacking coalition forces and destroying aircraft. Maj. McDonald and two other officers, armed only with pistols, immediately left the security of the billeting area, and maneuvered on foot more than a mile through an area dangerously exposed to enemy fire. When he reached the squadron maintenance building and learned his Commanding Officer had been mortally wounded, McDonald assumed command and began directing the tactical situation. Realizing the aluminum skinned building was indefensible, he fearlessly exposed himself by leading multiple groups of his Marines across 75 meters of open ground to get them to the more protected squadron headquarters. Leading a small team out to reconnoiter the flight line, he killed one enemy with a rifle he had borrowed, and then expertly coordinated two helicopter strikes to destroy all remaining enemy. McDonald’s decisive leadership and tactical expertise inspired his Marines to vigorously repel the enemy, thereby preventing additional friendly casualties and further destruction of aircraft and facilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Orrin Farmer)

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