MCA&FAMMO TECHAWARDS Reception

20 May 2014National Museum of the Marine Corps

Coins Provided by:

Sergeant Dakota Meyer is the fourth living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and, the first living United States Marine in 41 years to be so honored.

Born and raised in Columbia, Kentucky, Sergeant Meyer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2006 after graduating from Green County High School. He completed his basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot, Parris Island later that year.

A school-trained sniper and highly skilled Marine infantryman, Sergeant Meyer deployed twice to combat duty. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom; and in 2009-10, he deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

In September 2011, President Obama awarded Sgt. Meyer the Medal of Honor — the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government — in recognition of his acts of extraordinary valor on Sept. 8, 2009. Over the course of a six-hour firefight, without regard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Meyer repeatedly braved enemy fire in eastern Afghanistan to find and save fellow members of his embedded training team. Wounded by shrapnel, Sergeant Meyer entered the kill zone four times to evacuate 13 Marines and soldiers and 23 Afghan soldiers. On his fifth trip in, Sergeant Meyer recovered the bodies of three missing Marines and a Navy corpsman killed in the battle: 1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Staff Sergeant Aaron Kenefick, Hospital Corpsman Third Class James R. Layton and Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Wayne Johnson Jr. Following the battle, Army Sergeant 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook later died of wounds he sustained.

Sergeant Dakota Meyer completed his active duty in 2010 and now serves in the Individual Ready Reserve of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Since returning to civilian life, Sergeant Meyer continues to work to tell the stories of the Marines with whom he served.

Dakota MeyerM e d a l o f H o n o r R e c i p i e n t

AgendaReception

Musical Support Provided by the Marine Corps Band Quintet

Post the Colors

Retire the Colors

Welcoming Comments by Colonel Walt Ford, USMC (Ret), Publisher, MCA&F

Invocation by Commander William D. Stallard, USN

Remarks by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Emminger, USMC

Remarks by Brigadier General Frank Kelley, USMC

Remarks by Sergeant Dakota Meyer

Awards Presentation

• 2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Ammunition Technician Marine of the Year Award for Superior Achievement

• 2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Ammunition Technician NCO of the Year Award for Professional Excellence

• 2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Ammunition Technician SNCO of the Year Award for Distinguished Service

• 2013 Ammunition Officer of the Year Award for Exceptional Management

Closing Comments

In 1872 an Ordnance Dept convened by Congress stood up a Small Arms Board consolidating the manufacturing and storage of ammunition. Ordnance Battalions were later formed to manage the weapons supply with only an ancillary knowledge of the management and handling of ammunition. This remained virtually unchanged in the Marine Corps until World War II.

In the early part of World War II it was apparent to Marine planners the Marine Corps needed a vastly increased and improved supply system in the Pacific. The need was felt not only at the rear and forward area support bases but in combat itself in the crucial area of shore party operations, the ship-to-shore movement of essential equipment and supplies. Once those supplies were ashore, they had to be stockpiled, shifted, sorted, and moved forward into the hands of the Marines battling the Japanese.

Gradually, an elaborate system did evolve which included base depots, which received, stored, processed, shipped supplies of all sorts to combat units, and field depots, which were intended to be forward supply activities in operational areas. There were other organizations too, service and supply battalions, for instance, which performed these support activities for local base areas. All of these organizations were primarily composed of specialist companies which handled various types of supplies and equipment, salvaging and repairing non-expendable items where possible. What was missing at first was an essential element of the Marine logistical system, labor troops. All the vast assemblage of equipment had to be moved by ship and those ships had to be unloaded and reloaded time and again. The Marine Corps did not have dock workers and found in its early combat operations that using combat troops for the unloading tasks was not the job that they were trained for.

On the 25th day of June 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802 beginning the integration of the military. Companies of Ammunition Technicians were formed and deployed at Montford Point, North Carolina during the period between March and September 1943. Conceived of as partners to the Ordnance Companies in the base and field depots, Ammunition Technicians assumed a mission to load and unload, sort and stack, “manhandle” and guard ammunition; moving it from ship to shore to dump, and in combat, forward to the frontline troops and firing batteries. The first Ammunition Company Commanding Officer, First Lieutenant Placido Gomez, was appointed on 1 October 1943.

The ammunition companies had a minimum of training before they shipped out; they usually spent at least two months at Montford Point before going overseas. The men were given familiarization courses on various types of ammunition and fuses, often practicing moving ammunition containers from landing craft to inshore dumps. In the 1950’s a formal training school was established in Quantico, Virginia, before moving to Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama in 1972. Some potential NCOs were sent to school to receive specialized training in handling ammunition. The staff NCO billets were designed for experienced supervisors to emphasize and enforce safety regulations.

Ammo Tech History

The ammunition company was a large organization with a total strength of eight officers and 251 enlisted men. The unit was organized into a headquarters and four ammunition platoons.

During the 1950’s Marines from Ammunition Company, 1st Ordnance Battalion served in the Korean War.

Marines from Ammunition Companies during the 1970’s in Vietnam served at Field Ammunition Supply Points hauling ammo to the front lines in combat.

Today the Marine Corps is proud to be fully integrated utilizing the depth and breadth of experience found in the diversity of our Corps, in order to provide the very best in Class V ground ammunition support to the war-fighter. From World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom “Ammo Techs” continue to show that they are Marines with enduring values and a drive for mission excellence.

Our current MOS Manual states that Ammunition officers and SNCO’s supervise and coordinate ammunition supply and renovation functions. Functions include, but are not limited to, procurement, receipt, storage, issue, handling, shipment, salvage, and renovation of ammunition. They also operate ammunition supply points and are responsible for the establishment of field ammunition supply points in forward areas. Ammunition officers and SNCO’s are assigned to billets on the general staff level and are responsible for advising those commanders on matters relating to the development of ammunition allowances for both training and combat operations.

Today’s cadre of ammunition professionals must be many things: part-time logistician, statistician, lawyer, chemist, budgeteer, ballistics expert, computer whiz, tactical genius, and have an innate ability to maneuver and navigate the complexities of the many organizational staffs who have little knowledge of the ammunition field.

Rounding out the Marine Corps Ammunition Enterprise, the stand up in the early ‘80s of the Office of the Program Manager, Ammunition, of the Marine Corps Systems Command provided a one stop, singular voice in the Life Cycle Management of Ground Conventional Ammunition in support of our Marine Forces.

These ammunition professionals should be proud that they are part of the “ammo machine” that simply goes about our business, quietly and with little fanfare, executing the Corps’ ammo mission.

Ammo Tech History

Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Wayne Johnson, USMC

U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Wayne Johnson was born October 8, 1977 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Barbara Ramsey Henderson and step-father Melvin Henderson of Jacob City, Florida. GySgt Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1996. Upon completion of Recruit Training and MCT he reported to Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama to be trained as Ammunition Technician (2311) graduating in May 1997.

Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was a patriot with a strong sense of service. During his almost 13 years of service, he served in assignments as an Ammunition Chief with 2nd Tank Battalion, and India Battery, 5th Battalion 10th Marines. He served with Ammunition Companies in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan managing small arms at the Ammunition Supply Point and leading his Marines as a Platoon Sergeant. In balancing out his service to the Marine Corps he successfully completed a tour on recruiting duty.

In his time in the Marines, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Marine Corps Recruiter Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, Meritorious Masts, and Letters of Appreciation.

GySgt Johnson was deployed to combat operations Afghanistan in 2009 and was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” (posthumously) for his actions taken on September 8th, 2009 in the Ganjgal Valley, Afghanistan as set forth in the following citation:

“For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Staff Noncommissioned Officer Advisor-Mentor, 1st Kandrak, 2d Brigade, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army, Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 8 September 2009. Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was the senior enlisted member and machine-gunner of a forward four-man element accompanied by Afghan National Army counterparts that led the way into Ganjgal Village. Following an ambush by enemy forces Gunnery Sergeant Johnson suppressed the enemy fire, allowing his team with effective suppressive fire which allowed Afghan soldiers to link up with the rest of the patrol. He continued to keep the enemy at bay until he was seriously wounded. Despite his injuries, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson effectively engaged targets with his medium machine gun in a brave effort to fend off the enemy while drawing increased fire on his position. He continued to provide support and decisive leadership until falling mortally wounded. Gunnery Sergeant Johnson fought with determination while demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of the enemy. By his example, selfless initiative, and total dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife, Tasha Johnson of Stafford, VA; two sons: Jaron Johnson and Toren Johnson, and one daughter; Jalissa Johnson, one sister; Latoya (Melvin) Lowe of Columbus, Georgia; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Lance Corporal Guno Douglas, USMC

2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Ammunition Technician of the Year Award

Award sponsored by Rheinmetall

Corporal Guno Douglas was born on October 17, 1991 in Prince Georges, Maryland. Corporal Douglas graduated from Park Dale High School, Maryland in 2010. Corporal Douglas enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2012 and attended boot camp at Parris Island, SC.

Shortly after graduating boot camp, Corporal Douglas attended Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry East in Camp Lejeune, NC. Corporal Douglas reported to Fort Lee, VA for MOS training as a 2311 Ammunition Technician and graduated in November 2012.

Corporal Douglas reported to Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group in December 2012 for duty. Corporal Douglas was assigned to Storage Platoon as a Team Member to work in the Las Pulgas Ammunition Supply Point Storage section one. Corporal Douglas is currently serving as a Team Leader for the Ammunition Detachment attached to Combat Logistics Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 14.2.

Corporal Douglas is married to the former Latoya Griffith. They reside in Oceanside, CA. His hobbies include swimming, boxing, and playing soccer.

Sergeant Jason S. McCrady, USMC2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr.

Memorial Ammunition Technician NCO of the Year Award for Professional Excellence

Award sponsored by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Sergeant McCrady was born on 24 March, 1985 in Rahway, New Jersey. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 14 September, 2003 beginning his service at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing recruit training and combat training, he reported to Red Stone Arsenal for training as a 2311, Ammunition Technician at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

In March 2005, after successfully graduating ammunition technicians’ course as a 2311, Sergeant McCrady reported to Camp Pendleton, California for duty with Ammunition Company, First Force Service Support Group. He deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Lance Corporal during this deployment.

After redeployment in February, 2005, McCrady was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal and volunteered for service as a Marine Security Guard and reported to Marine Corp Embassy Security Guard Battalion Class 1-06. He had a successful tour assigned to American Embassy Warsaw Poland, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Monrovia, Liberia from December 2005 to December 2008 as a watch stander. In addition, Sergeant McCrady served as the Assistant Detachment Commander La Paz, Bolivia where he lead, supervised, and executed all operational and administrative decision making, planning, and operations.

In January 2009, Sergeant McCrady reported to 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twenty-Nine Palms, California as the Battalion Ammunition Chief. During his time with V34 he did (3) CONUS deployments greater than 30 days, and (2) deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for 7 months each. He won the 2010 1st Marine Division Ammo Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award. Sergeant McCrady was promoted to his current rank in December, 2010.

In May 2012 Sergeant McCrady reported to Marine Corps Liason Office, Detachment Charleston aboard Naval Weapons Station Charleston in Goose Creek, South Carolina for duty as the Operations Non Commissioned Officer in Charge.

Sergeant McCrady is accompanied by his wife, the former Jamie Lee Burke and their daughter Eliza Day. His personal awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 gold star, and Good Conduct Medal with 1 bronze star.

Gunnery Sergeant Jason M. Rodriquez, USMC

2013 Gunnery Sergeant Edwin W. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Ammunition Technician SNCO of the Year

Award for Distinguished Service

Award sponsored by L-3 Fuzing & Ordnance Systems

GySgt Rodriguez was born in Panorama City, California in 1974. He enlisted in the Navy in 1992 and underwent recruit training at Naval Training Center, San Diego, California.

Upon graduation, he completed Navy Aviation Apprentice Training and Basic Aircraft Firefighting, and was ordered to USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), Yokosuka, Japan for duty. He was assigned to Weapons Department, G3 Assembly Division. He deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf for Operations DENY FLIGHT and SOUTHERN WATCH, and was promoted to Airman Apprentice. He attended Aviation Ordnanceman Training at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in 1995, and was designated an Aviation Ordnanceman Airman (AOAN). In 1995, he reported to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and was assigned to Weapons Department, G1 Flight Deck Division. He deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and DECISIVE ENDEAVOR/JOINT ENDEAVOR, and was promoted to Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class.

In 1997, A03 Rodriguez was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego and earned meritorious promotion to Lance Corporal. Upon completion of Marine Combat Training and Ammunition Technician Basic School, he was ordered to Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton, California. He completed assignments in Ammunition Supply Point Maintenance and Storage Sections before reporting to School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, participating in the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP). Upon promotion and return to Ammunition Company, he was assigned as Magazine NCO and Section Supervisor. In 1999, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to Ammunition Storage Point (ASP) Operations as Assistant Records Chief.

In 2002 Sergeant Rodriguez reported to Marine Corps Detachment, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama as a 2311 MOS instructor. While there, he served as Platoon Sergeant, Mobile Training Team Instructor, Information Assurance/Security Officer, Demolition Safety Supervisor and Curriculum Developer, and was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Following instructor duty, he was ordered to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty Nine Palms, California, and was assigned as Magazine Section Supervisor. Upon promotion, Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez was assigned as Center Magazine Area (CMA) Storage Chief. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Operations Chief for Ammunition Supply Point, Parris Island. In October 2012, he reported to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, for duty with G4 Material Readiness Branch. While assigned, he deployed with a Marine Special Operations Regiment detachment to Afghanistan, performing safety and accountability surveys on Special Operations Task Force ammunition storage sites. Upon return in 2013, he resumed his duties as G4 Ammunition Chief, where he presently serves.

Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Navy Good Conduct Medal.

CWO3 Gable K. Mountain2013 Ammunition Officer of the Year Award for

Exceptional Management

Award sponsored by ATK

Gable Kenneth Mountain was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1978. He is married to Kassondra Mountain and has two children Kayla (11) and Ethan (9). Graduating from Brookings-Harbor High School, Brookings, Oregon in 1996, he enlisted and attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego. He attended Marine Combat Training and later trained as a 2311 Ammuntion Technician at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

His first assignment was Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Battalion, 3rd Field Service Support Group (FSSG), Okinawa Japan in 1997. There he learned proper storage and transportation of Class V(W) explosives. Promoted to LCpl, he was reassigned to the Camp Schwab Rifle Range were he was responsible for delivery of ammunition with additional collateral duties as range personnel.

In 1998, he reported to Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st FSSG, to work at the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) at Camp Pendleton. In 1999 he was promoted to Corporal and volunteered for two Combined Arms Exercises at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center,Twenty-Nine Palms and was assigned as the Receiving, Storage, Segregations and Issue (RSSI) NCO.

In 2000 he was assigned to Marine Corps Base, Camp Smith, Hawaii to the Pu’uloa Training Facility. He was promoted to Sergeant and assigned collateral duties of Rifle and Pistol Tower NCO, Block Official, Primary Marksman Instructor (PMI) and Admin Chief.

He was reassigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, in 2001 as the Ammunition Chief and earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In 2002, he attended the Basic Recruiters Course and was then assigned to Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Eugene, Oregon. He quickly became one of RS Portland’s top recruiters and in 2004 was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was appointed as the Staff NCO in Charge of RSS Eugene until 2005; earning the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

He was reassigned to Camp Pendleton, to the Las Pulgas ASP as a SNCO. His billets include Platoon Sergeant and Assistant SNCOIC. During 2006, he volunteered for a one year deployment to the I Expeditionary Force to act as the Marine Logistical Group (MLG) Contracting Liaison in Camp Fallujah, Iraq. He was then assigned to the Joint Regional Contingency Contracting Office (JRCCO) acting as the MLG Liaison and also managed the payment cell for all contingency contracts within the Al-Anbar Province.

Returning to the Las Pulgas ASP, he resumed duties as Assistant Storage Chief. In 2007, he was reassigned to MCB Camp Pendleton, AC/S Logistics, as the Base Ammunition Chief. Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in 2008, he received a second Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal upon completion of his tour.

In 2009, upon completion of Warrant Officer Basic Course at “The Basic School” Quantico, his first assignment as an Ammunition Officer (2340) was to the G-4, Ammunition OIC, Training Command, MCB Quantico, Va.

In 2012, he was assigned to Marine Corps Installations East - Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, as Explosives Safety Officer for the installation. In 2013, he was reassigned as the OIC of the ASP, Camp Lejeune, NC.

He is currently deployed to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, where is he serving as the Ammunition and Weapons Officer, CJ-4, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Transportation and Logistic Management with a GPA of 3.7 through America Military University (AMU) in 2013. His professional education includes: Expeditionary Warfighting School (EWS), Explosives Safety Officer’s (ESO) Orientation, Transportation of Hazardous Materials, Electrical and Lightning Protection, Motor Vehicle and Rail-car Inspectors course, Explosive Naval Facilities Planning Course and (Ammunition) Environmental Safety Orientation.

Through the Marine Corps Association & Foundation Marine Excellence Awards Program, over 11,000 awards were provided to Marines and the Sailors that served with them in 2013. The awards include:

• 263 trophies • 1,430 plaques

• certificates of achievements • binoculars

• K-Bar Plaques • watches

• 2,154 books

• 197 complimentary MCA&F memberships

• 79 cash awards totaling almost $39,000

• 6 C4 Awards (Gray Trophy, James Hamilton, Littleton (3), Shea)

• 9 Ground Awards (1st, 2d, 3d, 4th Mar Div Marine of the Year, Leftwich, Chambers, Hulbert, Zembiec, MARSOC NCO of the Year)

• EWS Awards (Murphy, Ellis)

• 4 Ammo Tech Awards (SNCO of the Year, NCO of the Year, Officer of the Year, Technician of the Year)

• 4 Ground Logistics Awards (Enlisted, Officer, Civilian and Unit of the Year)

• 3 Wounded Warrior Awards

• 11 Intelligence Awards

• 35 Writing Program Awards

Provided professional books to 346 Units to establish or augment their Commanders’ Unit Libraries in 2013 affecting over 120,000 Marines. The Commanders’ Forum Program funded 12 PME and battlefield studies for various Marine Units to date including sites of WWII battles in Okinawa; San Juan Island, Washington; Salerno, Italy; and a number of American Civil War battlefields including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg as well as funding guest speakers. Your MCA&F sponsorships and member support enable these programs. Please visit the MCAF website at www.mcafdn.org for testimonials and the latest PME and Event photos on www.flickr.com.

Thanks for YOUR support!

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation Supports Marines!

SPONSORSWe would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following sponsors for

their support of tonight’s awards ceremony:

Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Platinum Dinner Sponsor

Award Sponsors

Reception Sponsor

Name Badge Sponsor

Dinner Sponsor

PME Sponsor

Premier Sponsors

Semper Fidelis Sponsor

MAC, LLC