On 9 November, the Battalion commenced offensive combat operations into the enemy stronghold City of Fallujah. Corporal Shep8541 and his two-man Scout Sniper Team were attached in support of 2d Platoon, Company I, as they cleared south through their assigned sector. Occupying a rooftop in order to provide overwatch and supportive precision fires, Corporal Shep8541's team observed a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) team maneuvering 450 yards down an adjacent alleyway. The Scout Sniper Team also observed a M1A1 tank 200 yards down the same alleyway, but with its turret oriented away from the maneuvering RPG team. Corporal Shep8541 immediately engaged and eliminated two of the three enemy insurgents in the RPG team. Corporal Shep8541's actions directly contributed to a weakened enemy and potentially prevented loss of friendly personnel and equipment.
Later that day, Corporal Shep8541 occupied an overwatch position from which he could support the Company with precision fires and achieve a commanding position from which to coordinate, direct, control, and adjust supporting indirect fires. As the Company reached Main Supply Route (MSR) Elizabeth, they were ambushed and pinned down by enemy RPG, sniper, and mortar fire. Despite being under direct RPG, and small arms fire, and proximity mortar fire, Corporal Shep8541 identified an enemy sniper firing from a mosque 450 meters from his position. With a skillfully placed shot to the head from his SR-25 sniper rifle, Corporal Shep8541 eliminated the sniper threat, directly contributing to the platoon's ability to medically evacuate casualties, reorganize, and continue its offensive clearing operations south.
On 10 November, Corporal Shep8541 positioned his two-man Scout Sniper Team to cover the exposed eastern flank of Company I as they pushed south through Fallujah. Occupying the roof of a building to establish an overwatch position for the advancing Company, they began to take heavy small arms fire, temporarily pinning down the Scout Sniper Team. As rounds impacted all around them, the two-man team returned fire. While the team's squad automatic weapon (SAW) gunner suppressed an insurgent firing at them with an RPK machine gun, Corporal Shep8541 skillfully eliminated another target firing an AK-47 rifle at them with a single, well-placed shot to the chest. With rounds from the RPK continuing to impact around their position, the two Marines repositioned themselves on the roof and coordinated suppression from the SAW, coupled with precision fires from Corporal Shep8541's sniper rifle. Despite having a round ricochet off his helmet, Corporal Shep8541, with great skill and presence of mind, eliminated the insurgent with a single, well-placed shot, effectively eliminating the threat to the two-man team and advancing Company I.
On 13 November, while supporting 2d Platoon, Company I, in its assault south through Fallujah, Corporal Shep8541 occupied a rooftop overwatch position to provide precision fires for each of the two squads moving through the block of houses on either side of his position. From his position, Corporal Shep8541 observed a five-man RPG team moving from a house and into a back alley, attempting to maneuver on the advancing platoon. Simultaneously, Corporal Shep8541 heard radio traffic from one of the squads stating that the area Corporal Shep8541 had just observed activity in was secure. Recognizing the situation's potential danger, Corporal Shep8541 contacted the platoon commander, reported the insurgent activity, and then tactically guided the squad to attack the house the insurgents had occupied while continuing to provide supporting overwatch. As a result of Corporal Shep8541's presence of mind, six insurgents - two with RPG launchers - were eliminated. Corporal Shep8541's actions undoubtedly prevented the platoon from bypassing the alley, which would have left the Company's rear exposed to RPG attacks.
While occupying an observation post forward of Company I's defense on 14 November, Corporal Shep8541 identified an insurgent rally point in the southwestern corner of Queens. Corporal Shep8541 maneuvered his Scout Sniper Team into a position from which they could engage the insurgents. At 550 yards, Corporal Shep8541 eliminated three of the four insurgents with well-placed shots to the head. Utilizing available indirect fire assets, Corporal Shep8541 directed and adjusted mortar fires onto the target, destroying the bunkered position and killing the fourth insurgent.
On 1 December, Company I was tasked with establishing a screenline along Phase Line Henry in southern Queens in order to identify and eliminate enemy insurgents attempting to infiltrate from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines' sector into Company I's sector. After two days of observation, Corporal Shep8541 and his team observed a friendly logistics train broken down along Phase Line Henry. After an hour of providing overwatch for the halted convoy, Corporal Shep8541 observed two armed insurgents attempting to maneuver into an ambush position to engage the Marines. After multiple attempts to contact the logistics train via radio and inform them of the situation, Corporal Shep8541 engaged and killed both insurgents, eliminating the threat. Corporal Shep8541's initiative in the absence of specific direction undoubtedly prevented the enemy from inflicting casualties on friendly forces.
During the Battalion's final push south through Queens, Corporal Shep8541 observed five armed insurgents attempting to occupy a fighting position in a courtyard. With little more than inches available as a shooting lane, Corporal Shep8541 engaged and killed three of the five insurgents at a distance of more than 300 meters, as they ran past the narrow opening. Shortly thereafter, the platoon Corporal Shep8541 was supporting radioed him reporting that they had seen an insurgent run into a house and asked if he had positive observation. Carefully searching, Corporal Shep8541 was able to acquire the enemy through a three-inch crack in the wall. With one skillfully placed shot, Corporal Shep8541 eliminated the insurgent with a single round to the head. Later inspection revealed that the insurgent had barricaded himself inside the house and was preparing to fight any Marines entering the building to the death. Corporal Shep8541's proficiency undoubtedly again prevented the enemy from inflicting casualties on friendly forces.
Although wounded early during combat operations, Corporal Shep8541's enduring combat leadership, relentless offensive spirit, effectiveness under fire, and dedication to duty directly contributed 18 confirmed dead enemy combatants. He is extremely deserving and enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V".
