U.S.S. PELELIU (Nov. 09, 2005) - Sgt. Benjamin M. Ables and Cpl. Odena Colon, were awarded Navy Achievement Medals by Col. J.W. Bullard, Jr., 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, in the hangar bay for achieving the titles of the11th MEU Noncommissioned Officer of the quarter and Marine of the quarter. Ables, air traffic controller, Marine Medium Helicopter 166, and Colon, wireman, MEU Service Support Group 11, received their awards the same day the MEU conducted the cake-cutting ceremony for the Marine Corps 330th birthday. "This is one of the highest honors anyone can achieve," said Ables a Prescott Valley, Ariz. native, was also meritoriously promoted to his current rank for taking the NCO of the quarter board. "It's a once and a lifetime chance and place to be awarded here aboard the Peleliu," said Colon, Queens, N.Y. native. (Official USMC photo by: Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon) For public release

Photo by Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon

11th MEU recognizes its best aboard the Peleliu

27 Nov 2007 | Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

ABOARD THE U.S.S. PELELIU -- Sgt. Benjamin M. Ables and Cpl. Odena Colon, were each presented with the Navy Achievement Medal by Col. J.W. Bullard, commanding officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in the hangar bay aboard the U.S.S Peleliu, for earning the 11th MEU Noncommissioned Officer of The Quarter and Marine of The Quarter Awards, respectively.
Ables, an air traffic controller with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, and Colon, a wireman with the MEU Service Support Group 11, Camp Pendleton, received their awards the same day the MEU conducted the cake-cutting ceremony for the Marine Corps' 230th birthday.

All Entries

Marine Corps News

Colonel Thomas M. Siverts

Commanding Officer

Colonel Tom Siverts is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1989. He achieved a commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program following his graduation from the University of Virginia in May 1999. Colonel Siverts has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. His other operational deployments include serving with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); BLT 3/8, 22d MEU; BLT 2/8, 26th MEU, and Task Force 61/2.

Read Biography

Lieutenant Col. Steven M. Sprigg

Executive Officer

LtCol Sprigg was born in Parkersburg, WV. LtCol Sprigg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 2004 and recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. LtCol Sprigg was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 2008. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2011 and reported to HMLAT-303 for training as an AH-1W pilot. LtCol Sprigg is currently serving as the Executive Officer for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Pendleton, California.

Read Biography

Sergeant Major Travis L. DeBarr

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major DeBarr enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to MCRD San Diego, CA, for recruit training in October 1994.Staff Sergeant DeBarr completed two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2005 to April 2006 and again form March 2007 to September 2007. While serving with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, First Sergeant DeBarr completed one combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from October 2012 to May 2013. Sergeant Major DeBarr currently serves as the Sergeant Major for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Read Biography