Afghanistan Veteran Marine to Receive Silver Star

Controversial Marine Corps unit recognizes a war hero
Marine Corps Times
Gina Harkins
March 14, 2016

Matthew Parker, a former squad leader with

India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines
will receive the Silver Star on March 18.

(Photo: Pvt. Brian M. Woodruff/Marine Corps)

A Marine infantry battalion that was embroiled in a war-zone scandal will present a former squad leader with the nation's third-highest valor award this week — nearly five years after he led his comrades out of an intense firefight in Afghanistan.

Former Sgt. Matthew Parker, who served as a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, during the unit's 2011 deployment to Afghanistan, will be presented with the Silver Star on Friday during a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Marine Corps Times has learned.

Parker is being recognized for stepping up to lead his platoon when his commander and another squad leader were injured in an attack while operating in Helmand province's Musa Qala district, according to his award citation.
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