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Subject = AWARD RECOMMENDATONS                                            

Folder Title = AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS                                                                           

Parent Organization = 1 MEF       

Unit  = 2ND MARDIV  

Box ID = BX600094

File Cabinet = Week-51 

File Room = dec96_classified    



                                       UNCLASSIFIED


                                 PROPOSED SUMMARY OF ACTION

                For   conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in
           connection with offensive operations against the enemy during
           Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait from 24 to 27 February 1991.
           Captain Ray Griggs serving as Commanding Officer, Company C, 1st
           Battalion,    6th Marines, performed valiantly in the face of the
           enemy.
                The battalion was operating on a 1500 meter frontage and
           responsible for two breach lanes,       Red I and Red 2, on the left
           flank of the 6th Marine Regiment. The success of the battalion's
           mission was crucial to enable remaining elements of the 2d Marine
           Division to negotiate the obstacle belt and continue operations
           against Iraqi forces in zone. Captain Griggs, as one of the lead
           commanders was tasked with clearing Red 2 throughout the entire
           obstacle belt.
                Captain Griggs, at 0430 on 24 February 1991, led his company
           forward from its attack position,        within 200 meters of several
           high-pressure potentially explosive burning oil heads, through two
           minefields, across several fortified-Iraqi company positions, while
           facing two open flanks and other obstacles in the form of
           above-ground oil pipelines. Captain Griggs moved courageously
           with total disregard that he must travel through an enemy fire sack
           which had been established between two minefields while fully
           expecting to be attacked with chemical munitions.
                Captain    Griggs skillfully moved his mechanized company,
           reinforced with tank and engineer platoons, to the first minefield
           under the most adverse weather conditions - almost total darkness
           and heavy rainfall. Positioning himself well forward to direct the
           actions at the first minefield, Captain Griggs, undaunted by the
           loss of his lead tank plow to a mine blast, remained calm, brought
           additional engineer assets forward, cleared the lane and led his
           men through the first minefield and rapidly into the fortified
           enemy company positions covering the minefteld with small arms. The
           velocity of the Company C attack was directly attributable to
           Captain   Griggs' unrelenting drive and composure under Eire.
           Exposed to both direct and indirect fire, Captain Griggs continued
           to move about the battlefield to direct and inspire his men.
                Desnite detonated chemical mines. enemy artillery and mortar
           Eire,   Captain Griggs presence produced a calm on what could have
           otherwise been a confusing battlefield. When chemical acents were
           detected by the comvanv on his left flank, Captain Griggs ordere!
           his company to mask.        With total disregard for his personal
           safety, he then removed his own gas mask and stayed unmasked to
           maintain   control of      the second     breach. Moving forward he
           skillfully guided the company to the breach site at the second
           minefield and using all organic fire support assets at his
           disposal, quickly neutralized enemy fire from the enemy trench line
           opposite his position and proceeded with breaching operations.
           Exposed to enemy automatic weapons fire from fortified enemy
           positions,    Captain Griggs again went about the battlefield to
           ensure rapid movement through the breach site. Realizing that
           artillery rounds were now being adjusted onto his men, Captain
           Griggs rapidly pushed forward to a position where visual contact

                                               I


                                      UNCLASSIFIED

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Document 27 f:/Week-51/BX600094/AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS/award recommendatons:03249710492223
Control Fields 17
File Room = dec96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-51
Box ID = BX600094
Unit = 2ND MARDIV
Parent Organization = 1 MEF
Folder Title = AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS
Folder Seq # = 240
Subject = AWARD RECOMMENDATONS
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 24-MAR-1997