Navy & Marine Corps Achievment Medal with Combat-V Citation

Summary Action: Summary of Action

Lance Corporal Scott J. Procopio, Third Platoon, Company K, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V" for courageous action and initiative despite imminent danger to himself and fellow Marines while participating in combat operations in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06 and defense of Abu Ghurayb Prison, Iraq.

On 2 April 2005, at around 1900, Abu Ghurayb Prison was subjected to a combined arms attack by a well-coordinated insurgent force. More than 39 Katusha Rockets were fired in a short period of time in addition to multiple 82 millimeter mortar rounds and Rocket Propelled Grenades, followed by a ground assault by an estimated 50 insurgents. When the attack began, Lance Corporal Procopio was part of a dismounted infantry patrol in Khan Dari Market. His patrol began receiving indirect fire from the south and small arms fire from just north of their position. Lance Corporal Procopio was among the first to respond to the attack by assaulting toward the enemy position under heavy fire to isolate the insurgent force.

Upon receiving fire, Lance Corporal Procopio refused to seek cover and immediately engaged the enemy with his M-240G. The unhesitating suppressive fires from his machinegun caused a lull in the enemy fire and allowed his squad to bound forward and find cover. After bounding forward himself while under sporadic fire, he continued to engage targets with his machinegun, including a short-range engagement from the shoulder that resulted in one enemy Killed In Action at a range of under four feet. He then pushed down to the Propane Station Road to Khan Dari Market and set up his support by fire position from the side alleyways in Khan Dari. He set up the machinegun down the main avenue of approach to deny the enemies avenue of withdrawal to the west. After emplacing the machinegun, he provided all around security and engaged the enemy. Upon the arrival of additional forces, Lance Corporal Procopio participated in the follow on sweep of Khan Dari Market.

Throughout the firefight, Lance Corporal Procopio tactically employed his machinegun with devastating effects on the enemy. His immediate suppressive fires rested the momentum from the enemy's initial ambush and allowed his squad to close on them. His outright aggression and superior delivery of fires disrupted the enemy's assault on the west side of the prison. The enemy found themselves facing a large volume of well-delivered machinegun fires from behind their assault positions that disrupted their assault. His superior tactical proficiency and aggressive actions were key in repelling the insurgent force before they could execute their assault.

For his selfless actions, Lance Corporal Procopio is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V".

 

   
   
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