USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - USA's Birth - Great Patriots - Heroes - Honor Halls - Music - Photos
Poems - Quotes - Reference - Speeches - Stars for Troops - Stories - Student Patriots
Videos - New Content
- About - Contact - Submit - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click Here To Google Search
 For USA Patriotism! Content
USA Patriotism! YouTube Channel Join / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Heroes and Patriots

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

Marine GSgt. Joseph Lurz Awarded Silver Star
by USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm - September 8, 2012

Telescoping flagpole with free American Flag 

Tough Tex American Flags

American Flag Western Boots

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (8/24/2012) – “I was exactly where I wanted to be, doing exactly what I wanted to do,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph F. Lurz, a native of Baltimore.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph F. Lurz, a native of Baltimore, awarded Silver Star medal by retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, former MARSOC commander, Aug. 24, 2012. Photo by USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph F. Lurz, a native of Baltimore, awarded Silver Star medal by retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, former MARSOC commander, Aug. 24, 2012. Photo by USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm
  Lurz was presented with the Silver Star medal, the nation's third highest honor for combat valor, during the change of command ceremony for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Aug. 24.

Lurz was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during the time of his award. While on his deployment to Helmand province in Afghanistan from July 2010 to April 2011, Lurz led his team and mentored 7th Afghan Commandos of Kandak, Afghanistan.

Throughout the duration of the deployment, Lurz and his team thwarted more than 100 enemy attacks, according to the Silver Star citation. He led his team into the heart of the insurgency and while under heavy volumes of insurgent machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, he directed the fires of his men and the commandos against the enemy's most lethal positions neutralizing more than 100 insurgents and countless improvised explosive devices.

“The conditions that I earned this award are not unique,” Lurz said. “Anybody on the team could've done it, all I did was manage the talent, they did all the work.”

During an enemy ambush, his team leader was wounded and evacuated. Lurz then took charge and seamlessly led his team into enemy strongholds. Throughout multiple attacks Lurz remained calm, communicating to higher echelons and simultaneously coordinating supporting fires, effectively suppressing numerous attacks. During a nighttime helicopter assault his aircraft came under heavy fire and upon landing Lurz directed the team and Afghan commandos into a defendable position. He directed an assault and attempted to extract the team. When the enemy maneuvered into ambush positions to prevent the extract, Lurz called for close air support and conducted a counterattack killing several insurgents and allowing the team to pull out under a heavy volume of fire.

“Because of operators like Gunnery Sgt. Lurz we're building governance [in Afghanistan], we're empowering the people to be able to make decisions for themselves and provide their own security,” said retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, former MARSOC commander. “Most people don't know how well that's going, and that's too bad.”

By USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2012

Comment on article  |  Silver Star Recipients  |  Other Heroes

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft