The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Battle Colors will receive the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 14, for actions while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus along with Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, will present on behalf of the President the U.S. Military’s highest unit award to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for outstanding performance in action against enemy forces from May 29, 2009, to April 12, 2010.
An estimated 28,000 Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, as well as foreign military members and Dept. of the Navy civilian employees, will be authorized the award.
The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the U.S. Armed Forces and friendly foreign nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination and ‘esprit de corps’ in accomplishing its mission, under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions, to have set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as the Navy Cross awarded to an individual.
Secretary Mabus and Gen. Amos will be available for a brief on-the-record Q&A immediately following the ceremony in front of the II MEF Headquarters building.
Media representatives interested in attending the award ceremony should call the II MEF Public Affairs Office at 910-451-7200 before 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.