Sgt. Michael Espinoza, a landing support specialist,

Sgt. Michael Espinoza, a landing support specialist, receives a Navy Achievement Medal from Col. Matthew St. Clair, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, during a U.S. Marine Corps birthday celebration aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1), Nov. 10, 2012. The 26th MEU and the USS Wasp are off the coast of New York in support of Hurricane Sandy disaster relief efforts in New York and New Jersey. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations. They are slated to deploy in 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Stone/Released)