Charlie Company conduct demo training with GIGN troops

110717-M-XU108-099 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marines from, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), and Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops explode a Bangalore charge during the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-074 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marine Cpl Adam Childress, gunner with Assault Section, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), over looks as Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops detonate detention cord to open a door during the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-072 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marine Cpl Adam Childress, gunner with Assault Section, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), teach Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops how to place detention cord on a door during the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-060 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marine Cpl Adam Childress, gunner with Assault Section, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), teach Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops how to place detention cord on a door during the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-054 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marine Cpl Adam Childress, gunner with Assault Section, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), teach Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops how to place detention cord on a door during the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-048 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) A Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troop clamps on a primer to a detention cord during Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU)’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-045 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) A Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troop clamps on a primer to a detention cord during Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU)’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-026 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marine Lance Cpl Reagan Selman, gunner with Assault Section, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), teach Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops how to make detention cord after the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

110717-M-XU108-022 Camp Moussa, Djibouti, Africa (July 17, 2011) U.S. Marines from, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), teach Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale(GIGN) troops how to make detention cord after the BLT’s mil-to-mil partnership exercise aboard Camp Moussa, Djibouti July 17. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/ released)

BLT partner with French Foreign Legion during a training exercise

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops stand for a picture after a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops setup fighting positions during the a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops climb over a mountain top towards the objective during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops climb over a mountain top towards during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marine 1stLt. Jonathan McCormick(left), platoon commanded with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) review a terrian map with a member of the French Foreign Legion during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) A U.S. Marine with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provides sericuty during a joint training exercise with the French Foreign Legion in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marine 1stLt. Jonathan McCormick(right), platoon commanded with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) instruct his platoon to move to another vehicle during a joint training exercise with the French Foreign Legion in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops prepare to load vehicle during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107013-M-XU108-002 Djibouti, Africa (July 13, 2011) A French Foreign Legion assault vehicle lines up in convoy order during a joint training exercise between U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion in Djibouti July 13. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107012-M-XU108-015 Djibouti, Africa (July 12, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops review the schedlue of events prior to a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 12. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107012-M-XU108-007 Djibouti, Africa (July 12, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops review a terrian model display during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 12. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

1107012-M-XU108-003 Djibouti, Africa (July 12, 2011) U.S. Marines with 4th platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and French Foreign Legion troops look at a weapons display during a joint training exercise in Djibouti July 12. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Bohanner/Released)

Charlie Company 2nd Platoon trains with German soldiers

110711-M-UD614-015 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and German soldiers pose for a picture in Djibout, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-014 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) shoot German weapons in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-013 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) German soldiers and U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct a pistol range in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-011 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) German soldiers and U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct a pistol range in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-010 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Navy Corpsman HM3 Christian Mewes with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) shows an American meal ready to eat (MRE) to German soldiers in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-006 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-005 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-004 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marine SSgt Dustin Benson, Pltn. Sgt, 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) gives instructions during buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-003 Africa, Djibouti (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Paltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-002 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

110711-M-UD614-001 Djibouti, Africa (July 11, 2011) U.S. Marines with 2nd Pltn., Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct buddy rush training in Djibouti, Africa July 11. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for the maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Massimo N. Selim/Released)

Marine sergeant receives Silver Star for bravery in Afghanistan firefight

When the Pentagon decided in 2008 it was time to send the Marines back to Afghanistan, one of the first battalions to deploy was the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, from Twentynine Palms.

The Pentagon sent the battalion "light" -- that is, without the artillery, supply system, aircraft and full reconnaissance unit that are integral to what is called a Marine air-ground task force.

The Marines were supposed to mentor the Afghan security forces. Instead, they found themselves in combat almost daily, as units of 100 or more Taliban fighters attacked from ambush in hopes of driving the Marines away.

In seven months, 20 members of the battalion were killed, more than 200 wounded. But Marine brass say the 2/7 served notice to the insurgency that the Marines were back to stay and could not be intimidated into leaving.

On Monday, on a U.S. ship in the Gulf of Aden, one of the Marines from that deployment received a Silver Star for combat bravery. Sgt. Franklin M. Simmons, 28, was awarded the Marines' third-highest medal for bravery for actions on Aug. 8, 2008, while acting as a team leader for the Force Reconnaissance Platoon of the 2/7.

While on a patrol in the village of Shewan in Farah province, Simmons' platoon was attacked by "intense rocket-propelled grenade and machinegun fire," according to the Silver Star citation. One of the platoon's vehicles was disabled, trapping Marines in the "kill zone."

Simmons crawled to the top of a berm to locate targets. "He resolutely ignored enemy machine-gun rounds impacting within a foot of his position as he calmly employed his weapon to kill the enemy firing at his fellow Marines."

Simmons killed an estimated 18 enemy fighters and wounded at least two others during the eight-hour firefight. His "devastating fires" saved Marine lives, the citation says.

He was a corporal on the day of the ambush. He is now with a Force Reconnaissance Platoon with the Camp Pendleton-based 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a seven-month deployment to the western Pacific and beyond. The award ceremony took place on the amphibious assault ship Boxer.

Simmons lists Richmond, Calif., and Grants Pass., Ore., as hometowns.

Charlie Company 4th of July group photos

BLT 1/1 July 1 promotions

110701-M-XU108-003 Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa (July 1, 2011) Sgt Saheed Lawal, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT) , 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), gets promoted to his present rank by Capt William Simpson, commanding officer, Charlie Company, BLT 1/1 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti July 1. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/released).

110701-M-XU108-002 Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa (July 1, 2011) Staff Sgt Dustin Benson, platoon sergeant, 3rd platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT) , 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), gets promoted to his present rank by Capt Jason Fraser, executive officer, Charlie Company, BLT 1/1 at the top of a French training mountain in Djibouti July 1. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/released).

110701-M-XU108-001 Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Africa (July 1, 2011) Capt. Jason Fraser, executive officer, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1 (BLT) , 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), gets promoted to his present rank by Lt. Col. Craig Wonson, commanding officer, BLT 1/1 at the base of a French training mountain in Djibouti July 1. The 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, also providing support for Maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/released).