Lt. Col. Desgrosseilliers was the officer in charge of Task Force Bruno, which was operating in and around Fallujah, Iraq, from Dec. 12 to 23, 2004.
He was leading a group of 60 to 100 men as they followed the main body of the battalion, sweeping the city. He received word on Dec. 12 that Marines were pinned down by enemy gunfire inside a building.
With insurgents throwing down grenades from the second floor, Desgrosseilliers pressed on and helped the trapped Marines. His group continued similar operations in Fallujah for more than a week.
On Dec. 23, he again led his battalion through a heavy gunfire battle against insurgent fighters. For his leadership and actions, Desgrosseilliers was awarded the Silver Star Medal on Jan. 23, 2006. |