Honors were given recently to members of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps air ground combat center. 3/7 returned in April following a 7-month deployment to Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service, was awarded Major Alton Warthen, partnership training officer in charge, Company H. Captain Colin Chisholm, Company L commander, was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. The Purple Heart Medal was presented to Lance Corporal Shawn A. Staat, motor transport operator, Company H, for wounds he received in March in Afghanistan. Captain William Milana, police mentor team leader, Captain Matthew W. Speers, infantry officer, and Sergeant Bradley J. White, platoon sergeant, received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for extraordinary service through their actions in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Andrew J. Schondelmayer, mortarman, received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding service while deployed.
