MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, or ‘Darkside,’ gathered at their bachelors’ enlisted quarters’ courtyard to honor a medal recipient, March 13, 2014.
1st. Sgt. Jack L. Shumate, company firsts sergeant, India Co., 3/4, was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat “V” for valor device.
“[The Marines] had taken a couple of [improvised explosive devices],” said Lt. Col. Jeff Kenney, commanding officer, 3/4. “[Shumate] was able to grasp control of the environment, secure the landing zone and call for evacuation while under intense fire. It’s a very deserving award.”
The Marines were awarded for their service conducting combat operations in Afghanistan during the unit’s deployment in March 2013.
“My Marines, most importantly, did an outstanding job performing at a level we were expected to,” Shumate said. “We had no doubts during the deployment.”
Darkside’s last deployment was one of the final major operations for the battalion. They are slated to be deactivated this summer.
“We had an opportunity to make history with that last deployment,” Shumate said. “Darkside may be going away, but it will remain with all of us forever.”