Recon Marine receives Silver and Bronze Star medals

Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, commanding general, 1st Marine Division, presents Master Sgt. David Jarvis, battalion training chief, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, a Bronze Star with a combat distinguishing device during an award ceremony Oct. 5. Jarvis received a Bronze Star and Silver Star medal for his actions during the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. Jarvis participated in more than 70 combat patrols during the deployment. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions, Oct. 25, 2010. Jarvis was serving as platoon sergeant, Bravo Co., Recon Bn., when an element of his platoon was hit with an improvised explosive device and his position came under heavy fire from an enemy force, Jarvis repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he organized the Marines to defend their position and personally engaged Taliban forces to secure a casualty evacuation zone. His actions allowed the Marines to repel the enemy attack and evacuate a critically wounded Marine, ultimately saving his life. "It's not a single fight," Jarvis said, "It's definitely a team effort. I don't take it as my citation, I take it as our citation, for the reconnaissance community."