U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- (From left to right) Hospitalman 1st Class Patrick B. Quill, SSgt. Frankie J. Shinost, Maj. James T. Rose and Sgt. William B. Soutra of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stand at attention after being awarded the nation's second and third highest awards for combat valor by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at 1st MSOB headquarters aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dec. 3. Soutra was awarded the Navy Cross, and Rose, Shinost and Quill were each awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism exhibited during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan nearly two years ago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released). (Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrols through poppy fields in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released) (Photo by Kyle McNally)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provides security during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers in Watan village, Helmand Province April 3. The Marines in Watan are tasked with establishing a permanent foothold and supporting the development of governance in the region, which has historically been a hotbed of insurgent activity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released) (Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally)

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrol through a compound in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released) (Photo by Kyle McNally)