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Marine receives Bronze Star
29 PALMS, California -- The son of a McCook, Nebraska, couple has received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Master Gunnery Sgt. Victor J. Purvis of the United States Marine Corps received the Bronze Star for his service and actions as a battalion maintenance chief for the 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Afghanistan, between October 2010 and May 2011.
Sgt. Purvis is the son of Teresa and Robert Purvis of McCook. He is a 1982 graduate of Grand Island, Nebraska, Central Catholic High School.
On behalf of President Barack Obama, Lt. General T. D. Waldhauser, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Force, Central Command, presented Sgt. Purvis with a citation stating:
Master Gunnery Sgt. Purvis distinguished himself by organizing all battalion maintenance efforts, providing continuous maintenance and vehicle recovery support to the battalion and other units operating in the southern Helmand River Valley and Division Security Area.
His detailed planning and keen supervision were instrumental during 104 recovery missions that retrieved 119 disabled vehicles. Personally leading many of these operations, he maneuvered his teams through known enemy territory. During Operation LONE RANGER, he led efforts to recover a vehicle damaged by a roadside bomb.
As he dismounted from his vehicle to supervise activities, a second explosive charge detonated, wounding Marines and injuring him. Before receiving medical attention, he continued to focus on the mission.
During Operation RAW-HIDE, he maintained his presence on the battlefield despite the risk to himself and his Marines, recovering several damaged vehicles from enemy strikes.
The engineering efforts he organized supported the construction of several patrol bases that enabled partnered operations with the Afghan Border Police and increased protection of the local population.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Purvis' distinctive contributions, unrelenting perseverance and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."