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Information Releasable Under The Freedom Of Information Act
| U.S. Marine Corps Report Of Separation NAVMC 73-PD
RECORD OF MARINE CORPS SERVICE
EMPLOYMENT AND NON-SERVICE EDUCATION DATA
PREFERENCES
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| […] “From: Commanding Officer Alison Gi, “E” Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 1st MARDIV M.C.B.C.P To: Headquarters, 1st MARDIV, M.C.B.C.P Subject: Purple Heart, Recommendation for 1. Corporal Vardah Lasout, 48789-20114-VL, Company “E”, 2nd Infantry Battalion. On the day of August 13th, ████ , while on in the middle of a period of rest and refit following an ambush three days prior in which two members of the company were declared KIA, a marine by the name of Private Mark Nicholes, 91241-19204-MN suffered from a violent psychotic break, attacking a nearby MP by the name of Antonio Silva, 33341-14152-AS, severely injuring the MP and taking his weapon before drawing it on his fellow marines. While some marines sought cover, others, mostly MP's, drew their weapons, the corporal did neither. Not retreating to cover or drawing a weapon, in the form of her side arm, on a fellow marine who was not at all in his right mind. Instead, Lasout began to slowly walk towards the marine, arms raised in an effort to try and deescalate the situation and she was successful. According to multiple eye witness statements – See attached files – Nicholes was visibly starting to relax and could have been taken safely into custody. However, a misfire while Lasout was attempting to calmly disarm the marine resulted in Lasout being WIA by friendly fire and Nicholes, who was no longer a threat, being KIA by the same via an MP's attempt to wound striking him in the head. Her promptness, courage, and willingness to not only risk but almost sacrifice her own life undoubtedly prevented Nicholes from opening fire on others and as a result saved countless lives of her comrades. However, due to the fact that Nicholes was not an enemy combatant? Under the current direct circumstances that means that Lasout cannot qualify for the award despite nearly losing her life for the effort. As such, if you would allow, I wish to submit a possible suggestion which might allow the award to be issued. Due to the fact that Nicholes' actions were a combat stress reaction born directly out of the result of prior enemy contact, I suggest that were it not for the enemy engagement such an act would not have occurred. Thus providing a direct avenue from enemy actions to the situation which wounded the corporal. We lost a good marine and almost lost two. The least we can do is give the survivor, a good marine in my personal opinion, the proper respect and acknowledgment such actions deserve. “ […] --------- "[…] “From: Commanding Officer Alison Gi, “E” Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 1st MARDIV M.C.B.C.P To: Headquarters, 1st MARDIV, M.C.B.C.P Subject: 100% Disability and Honorable MEB Medical Discharge of 1. Corporal Vardah Lasout, 48789-20114-VL, Company “E”, 2nd Infantry Battalion." [....] --------- "[...] From: Headquarters, 1st MARDIV, M.C.B.C.P To: Commanding Officer Alison Gi, “E” Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 1st MARDIV M.C.B.C.P Subject: Approved [....]" | Awards and Decorations Purple Heart: Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal: Heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service Combat Action Ribbon: Active participation in ground or surface combat Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal: Exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal: Service in Afghanistan Global War on Terrorism Service Medal: Serving or have served in military expeditions to combat terrorism |
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