Sgt. Clifford M. Wooldridge named USO Marine of the Year

News: Sgt. Clifford M. Wooldridge named USO Marine of the Year

II Marine Expeditionary Force

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Cpl. Sarah Dietz

Sgt. Clifford Wooldridge, combat weapons instructor, Marine Corps Security Forces Regiment, Chesapeake, Va., stands at attention after receiving the Navy Cross Medal, May 18, at Lance Cpl Torrey L. Gray Field. He earned the medal for combat actions in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, in 2010.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Clifford Matthew Wooldridge, an anti-tank missleman with Marine Corps Security Forces Training Company, has been selected as the USO Marine of the Year. This honor comes less than a year after Wooldridge was awarded the Navy Cross for actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Select servicemembers from every branch of the armed forces are slated to be honored for extraordinary bravery, loyalty and heroism at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2. More than 1,000 guests including Washington dignitaries, Members of Congress, military leaders, the USO Board of Governors, and the media are expected to attend the 2012 USO Gala.

“It’s an honor to represent the Marine Corps,” said Wooldridge, a native of Port Angeles Wash.

According to Wooldridge, being the USO Marine of the year doesn’t change his perspective on life. At the end of the day he’s still a Marine and he always tries to set an example for other Marines by working hard and striving to become better in every way he can.

For more than a year, Wooldridge has been serving with Marine Corps Security Force Training Company as a strategic weapons instructor. Wooldridge was recommended for the USO Marine of the year by his regimental sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Charlie D. Stanford, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment.

Other senior enlisted Marines also speak highly of the combat veteran and Navy Cross Awardee.

“I feel that he’s a good example of a Marine based on his past actions and current actions,” said First Sgt. Jefferey D. Durham, company first sergeant, Marine Corps Security Force Training Company. “He’s one of my best instructors and a true professional.”

Wooldridge, who originally enlisted to do his part and serve his country, has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s taking his Marine Corps career one enlistment at a time though, allowing the option for the upcoming Marine of the year award to either add to his already impressive list of awards, or simply signify the beginning.

For detailed information on Sgt. Wooldridge’s Navy Cross Award, please follow: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/88465/combat-center-marine-receive-navy-cross