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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 operations against the enemy during OPERATION DESERT STORM in
        Kuwait on 23-24 February 1991.      Captain Marino,    Commanding Officer,
        Company B (4th LAI),     2d Light Armored Infantry Battalion, performed
        valiantly in the face of the enemy.
            On 23 February 1991, G Day-1, Capt Marino's company was tasked with
        screening the objective area selected for the 2d Marine Division
        penetration of the extensive Iraqi defensive barrier within southwest
        Kuwait. If possible, he was to sweep the enemy clear from the friendly
        side of the barrier, find and clearly mark the exact location of the
        enemy minefield. Further if possible, mark each of the entry points of
        the six breach lanes. This would allow the three forward mechanized
        assault battalions to move full speed from attack positions on the Saudi
        Arabian side of the border directly to the assault lanes within the
        defensive barrier. This area was the forward edge of the fortified
        positions established by the Iraqi 7th and 14th Infantry Divisions. His
        mission would be vital to the success of the 2d Marine Division's
        offensive operations to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi control. The location
        and marking of the breach points was a critical factor in executing the
        Division's detailed plan and allowed the 6th Marines(-)(Rein) to move
        directly to the minefield and close with the Iraqi forces in zone.
            Under the cover of darkness on the evening of 23 February Capt
        Marino took his company forward and located the leading edge of the
        Iraqi obstacle belt. While constantly observing enemy movement 40e to
        see     meters     to    his    front      in    the    fortified      areas
        Capt Marino maneuvered his force forward to find the enemy minefield.
        The first contact with the enemy wire was 300 meters forward of
        intellegence reports and in a position and orientation that was
        unexpected.    Realizing the importance of his mission Capt Marino
        established local security with his forces across the breach area and
        moved to personally determine the exact location of the six points where
        the breaching lanes would be formed. This entailed moving repeatedly
        across a broad frontage of approximately 4000 meters in close proximity
        to the enemy where discovery of his position or activity would have
        brought concentrated and directed fires onto his exposed position.
        Using night vision goggles and a global positioning system Capt Marino
        positively confirmed the location of breaching Lane Blue 4 at 0020C 24
        February 1991. This was close to the center of the breach area (the
        lanes are identified as Red 1, Red 2, Blue 3, Blue 4, Green 5, and Green
        6). Even though enemy movements continued to his front, Capt Marino,
        determining that he had not been observed, moved to mark Lane Green 5 at
        Oe55C and Lane Green 6 at 0115C on 24 February 1991. Proceeding to the
        northwest, he marked Lane Blue 3 at 0135C, Lane Red 2 at 0210C and Lane
        Red 1 at 0225C.' By 0255C on 24 February Capt Marino had successfully
        completed his mission and moved his forces into a covering position in
        order to surveil the lane entry points until H-hour.
            Capt Marino was intrepid in the face of and in close proximity to a
        concentration of enemy forces that could bring withering direct and
        indirect fires to bear on his position.             When confronted with
        conflicting       and      confusing       facts      and        information
        Capt Marino maneuvered in and around enemy positions, obstacles, and
        minefields over an extended period of time to ensure his mission was
        accomplished and was directly and personally responsible for the success


                                             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