March 7, 2012 -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 7, 2012) – A Marine assigned to 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command, was awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in combat, in a 1 p.m. ceremony here today.
SSgt. William E. Burch, was awarded the military’s third highest medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity against the enemy while engaged in a combat mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, nearly two years ago. Burch, then a sergeant and while on a combat reconnaissance patrol, came under heavy enemy fire from an insurgent held compound, April 6, 2010. While attached with a company of 4th Afghan National Army Kandak soldiers and U.S. soldiers, Burch was wounded in the leg when an enemy rocket propelled grenade exploded within feet of his position. Applying self medical aid, Burch continued to engage enemy positions as well as direct ANA Commandos to sustain fire on enemy positions.
Several engagements took place at close quarters. Later in the fight, Burch volunteered to reinforce a support by fire position on an exposed hillside that had taken several friendly casualties. Disregarding his own safety, Burch sprinted up the hill – with enemy rounds impacting around him – and manned the machine gun position, immediately providing effective fire and suppressing the enemy positions. A fellow soldier was hit while at the hillside position, and Burch began administering first aid while continuing to lay down suppressive fire. He helped the soldier to safety and then went back up the hill and continued crucial fire support during the 10-hour firefight and until all friendly forces had withdrawn from the hill.
“This is a very prestigious award,” said MajGen. Paul E. Lefebvre, Commander of MARSOC, congratulating Burch, his company and battalion for the tremendous work in Afghanistan. “A lot of people don’t understand exactly what we do, but this award represents actions in the face of the enemy.” When referencing the similarities of the actions in the Battle of Peleliu by Marines in World War II more than 60 years ago and Burch’s actions in 2010 that earned him the Silver Star, MajGen. Lefebvre said there was little difference. “So you see it’s not about where we are, it’s who we are.”
His initiative, perseverance and tenacity saved the lives of several of his Marines, fellow soldiers and ANA soldiers that day. Burch, an eight-year veteran of the Corps and native of Lake City, Fla., joined MARSOC in January 2007. He has deployed four times – once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned from his fourth deployment last month, serving as an element leader for a Marine Special Operations Team. His personal decorations include two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with combat V, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal two Combat Action Ribbons and two Good Conduct Medals.