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Marines in Iraq have all sides coveredassigned to Company C. “Theplates dangle low and get in theway a lot.”Wishchmeyer explained thatCAMP FALLUJAH, IraqMarine commanders owed it to(Feb. 23, 2006) -- Marinestheir Marines to use innovationwalking the beat in Fallujah areand all available means to protectnow covered on all sides, thankstheir forces. Insurgents in Iraqto new armor and ballistic platesare constantly adapting theiradded to their vests. Still, the newtactics, and gaps in the protectivegear is getting mixed reviews.equipment were specificallyMarines with Regimentaltargeted.Combat Team 5 recently received“Are they heavy? Yes,” hetheir side body armor plates, calledadded.“Do they make the vestsmall-arms protective inserts, orheavier? Yes. Is there a lot ofSAPI. The added armor, made ofarmor on that thing? Yes, but thethe same materials as the chestbottom line is we owe it to theand back plates, was generatedMarines to provide whatafter Marineever gear we can toCorps officialsprotect them.”commissioned aWishchmeyerstudy and foundexplained that Marinesome combat deathsmight have beencommanders owedprevented if theit to their Marines toceramic armor platesuse innovation andextended to the sidesall available means toof the torso.protect their forces.The addedInsurgents in Iraq arearmor has someconstantly adapting theirMarines singing its’tactics.praises and others“The enemy adaptsgrumbling. Theadded protectionto our armor, so we conis welcomed bystantly have to come upMarines whowith better, more effiexpose themselvescient ways to protect ourto gunfire andMarines,” Wischmeyerroadside improvisedsaid.explosive devices.“Are they heavy?But the addedYes,” he added. “Do theyweight, even at overmake the vest heavier?just a couple poundsapiece, is causing“The bottom line is wesome Marines toCpl. William Skelton owe it to the Marines towonder if the lossLance Cpl. Colt J. Luman, 1st Battalion,1st Marine Regiment serving with Regimental Combat provide what ever gearof mobility is worthTeam 5, holds up a pair of side small-arms protective inserts, SAPIs recently issued to improve, we can to protect them.”the protection.survivability. Still, some Marines harbor concerns about loss of mobility.Marines assignedto 1st Battalion,in firefights. Evidence exists ofM. Medley,” a 19-year-old1st Marine Regiment, servingMarines who were shot in theirinfantryman with Company Cwith RCT-5 near Fallujah, werechest SAPI plates, with nothingand Burlington, Colo. resident.among the first to receive theirmore than a bruise to show for it.“The new side SAPIs have toside SAPIs. They are mandatoryLance Cpl. Colt. J. Luman, abe snapped into the sides of theCpl. William Skelton is afor each Marine to wear. Orders22-year-old from Farmington,already heavy flak.”Combat Correspondent servinghere are clear about personalN.M., said he’s a fan of the addedPfc. Xeeng Y. Lee, a 20-yearwith 1st Battalion, 1st Marineprotection.protection. He doesn’t thinkold infantryman from Syracuse,Regiment in the Al AnbarMarines leaving the wire wearit adds too much weight andN.Y., had his own concerns aboutProvince. For information emailchest and back SAPI plates,balances out well with the rest ofthe side SAPIs.him at SkeltonWB@gcemnfalong with the new side plates.the vest.“The gear is a lot heavier withwiraq.usmc.milGroin protectors, collars and“They’re good pieces ofthe side plates on,” said Lee,CPL. WILLIAM SKELTON1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment4neck protectors are required atall times, in addition to ballisticeye protection and fire-retardantgloves. Marines manning machineguns in humvee turrets also wearballistic protection for shoulders,arms and legs.“Side SAPIs are designed toprotect a Marine’s sides wherethe normal flak jacket platesdon’t cover,” said Maj. BillWischmeyer, the 39-year-oldbattalion executive officer fromSan Diego.Theplates are designed tostop a bullet from penetratingand injuring Marines and sailorsgear,” said Luman, assignedto Headquarters and ServiceCompany.“It’s easy to take on and offand most importantly they protectyour sides when before there wasnothing there.”Marines recently demonstratedto Congress that with each addedlayer of protection, they sacrificemobility they desperately needfighting in an urban environment.Here, on the battlefield, thosesame questions still linger.“A normal flak jacket onlyhas a pocket for the front andrear plates,” said Pfc. CalebAug. 19, 2005The Eagle and the Crescent

‘Darkhorse’ pauses, remembers its fallenCPL. MARK SIXBEY3rd Battalion, 5th Marine RegimentCAMP SMITTY, Iraq (Feb. 22, 2006)-- Marines of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5thMarine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team5 gathered here to remember two fallen menMonday, Feb. 20.Cpl. Ross A. Smith, a fire team leader, andPfc. Javier Chavez Jr., a rifleman, both with1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company I., werekilled by hostile action Feb. 9 in the Al AnbarProvince. So far, the company has lost threeMarines.“There are no words I can say that willrelieve the hurt that the Smith’s, Chavez’sand we feel., said Lt. Col. Patrick G. Looney,the 43-year-old battalion commander fromOceanside, Calif. “But what I can offer is thatthese warriors gave their lives doing what theychose to do. My sincerest condolences go outto the Smith and Chavez families for their greatloss.”Portraits of Smith and Chavez restedCpl. Mark Sixbeyalongside their boots, rifles, identificationLance Cpl. Joshua B. Tallis, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, kneels in fronttags and Kevlar helmets, before the U.S. andof the memorial of Cpl. Ross Smith and Pfc. Javier Chavez Jr., who were killed in actionMarine Corps flags. The company stood inFeb. 9, 2006. The company held a memorial service at Camp Smitty, Iraq, Feb. 20.formation as their close friends and squadmembers read prayers and reflected on theirSmith is survived by his mother and father in Detroit.friendships with the two men.Chavez, from Fresno, Calif., was born Dec. 31, 1986 and recentlyLance Cpl. Joshua B. Tallis, an infantryman with 2nd Platoon knewmarriedJanie Chavez, 19.Smith since they arrived together to their platoon.“Those of us who knew Javier are better for having known him,” said“You could always tell his presence, always loud, always happy,”Lance Cpl Pierce Ford, a 22-year-old infantryman Colorado Springs,said Tallis, 21, from Los Angeles. “His platoon is going to miss theirColo.brother.”“Like Corporal Smith, he was an avid athlete, and an excellentHe said it was Smith’s third deployment to Iraq. He was 21 years old.student,” Looney added. “He was also a loving husband, a son, and a“He was going to get out and take over his father’s business,” Tallisbrother.”said.Ford said Chavez always put his family first, going home to see themevery chance he had.“He was dedicated to his family,” said Ford, 20. “He’d be the firstto step up if somebody was being picked on. My prayers go out to hisfamily. He’s in a better place now.”Ford, who knew Chavez since their days at the School of Infantry,said that Chavez planned to use his experience in the Marine Corps as astepping-stone into a career in law enforcement.“We pretty much did everything together since we met,” Fordexplained. “He cared about his family, and he was like a brother to me.”Pfc. Mack McSperitt, from 2nd Platoon knew Chavez since they wereclassmates in the 7th grade.“He’s a childhood friend,” said McSperitt, a 19-year-old fromHanford, Calif. “He knew what he wanted to do. He joined the Corps tobecome a better person, to learn honor, courage and commitment.”“He stood up for what he believed in,” he said. “I’m very sorry forthe loss of your son. It’s hard, but he fought to the end. You should beproud.”Cpl. Mark SixbeyLance Cpl Cody Turpen, an infantryman with 2nd Platoon,Company I, salutes the memorial of Cpl. Ross Smith and Pfc.Javier Chavez Jr., at a memorial service at Camp Smitty, Iraq,Feb. 20.Cpl. Mark Sixbey is a Combat Correspondent serving with 3rdBattalion, 5th Marine Regiment in the Al Anbar Province. Forinformation email him at SixbeyMA@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

AGE: 30HOMETOWN: Alachua, FL (near Gainesville)MARITAL STATUS: Married, 10 yearsKIDS: (2) Daughter – Marissa, 8 yrs old Son– Patrick, 4 yrs oldMOS: 4612-Offset Lithographer, I MEF (FWD)Combat Camera ChiefUNIT/DUTY STATION: 1st Marine Division, CombatCamera, IA to I MEF/ Camp Fallujah, IraqFAVORITE HANGOUT: Home, in the back yardBBQ’ingHOBBIES: GolfLAST SONG OR MOVIE DOWNLOADED: KennyChesney “ Be As You Are” and Pulp Fiction. Ineed iTunes though so I can download new stufffor my iPod.LAST BOOK YOU READ: The Magnificent BastardsFAVORITE MRE: BBQ Pork with Rice or Chili MacWHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED DURING DEPLOYMENT:Other aspects of the Combat Camera field, suchas photo and video productionWHAT WILL YOU REMEMBER MOST: The song“Susie Q” by Credence Clearwater Revivalblasting through the speakers on the flightline aswe arrived at TQ.6WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION WHENYOU REDEPLOY: Disney Cruise with my wife andkids.WORST PART ABOUT DEPLOYMENT: Leaving familyand friendsWHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT YOURDEPLOYMENT: They support it 100%.BEST & WORST MEMORY OF MARINE CORPS:“When I was first given my EGA for the garrisoncover for the Service Alphas two days beforegraduating boot camp. Bad - I try to forget anyof the bad memories.FAVORITE COMEDIAN: Any Redneck ComedyHour guys, George Lopez or Kings of Comedy.FAVORITE DUTY STATION: 1st Marine Division,Camp Pendleton, Calif.First stepped on the yellow footprints: Aug. 7th1994.WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING IN 5 YEARS: Finalizingmy retirement plans.ADVICE FOR OTHERS HERE: “Take it one day at atime and try to stay positive.”Piece of equipment you can’t live without:Leatherman.Aug. 19, 2005The Eagle and The Crescent

Pendleton Marines work to hand over clean AOproviding stability to the “Triad”Marine Regiment, said Burgess.area of Haqlaniyah, Barwanah and“It’s good that we do one moreHaditha.sweep of this area before turning itOperation Minotaur focused onover,” said Lance Cpl. LawrenceKHAFFAJIYAH, Iraq (Feb.Khaffajiyah and southern outlyingA. Parkhill, a 20-year-old team26, 2006) -- Marines in theareas including the islandHaditha Dam region continuedof Alus. The Marinesto keep insurgents on their heels“If we continue to operate inwent house-to-houseduring another counterinsurgencylookingforinsurgentsthese areas, they will neveroperation here Feb. 26.and used metal detectorsThe latest operation, dubbedget a chance to executeto sweep the river bank“Minotaur,” was aimed at clearing[their] plans.”for weapons caches.more than nine kilometers of“Wejustwantedriverbank and several small1st Lt. Jared W. Burgessto throw somethingvillages south of Haqlaniyah – adifferent at them,”town along the Euphrates River inleader from Temecula, Calif.said Geary, a Helmville, Mont.,Al Anbar Province, northwest ofWhile the Marines’ focus isnative. “They see mounted troops,Baghdad.on disrupting insurgent activitybut it isn’t very often they seeAlthough this is usually anand further training Iraqi soldiers,dismounted Marines go to theirinactive area, the Marines saidthoughts of home are beginning tohomes and searchsurface. For Parkhill, his thoughtsthe area.”turn to riding his motorcycle inApproximatelysouthern California. Like many ofsix weeks ago,the Marines, he is focused on thethe Marines sweptjob at hand, but thinks more andthrough the area andmore about the loved ones waitingfound numerousfor him and the hobbies he hasweapons cachesmissed since arriving here nearlyburied alongsix months ago.the river bank.“I miss the sunny weather inThis promptedCalifornia and just cruising aroundthe battalion towith my girlfriend on my bike,”continue to sweepsaid Parkhill.through this area,Even though the Marines aremaintaining anearing the end of their timevigilant presence toin Iraq, the battalion shows noremind insurgentssigns of slowing down their huntthat there is no placefor insurgents. They’ll continueto hide.actively seeking out anti-Iraqi“If we continueforces and paving a path for theirto operate in thesereplacements’ success.areas, they willThe battalion’s redeploymentnever get a chanceto the U.S. is part of a regularlyto execute [their]scheduled rotation of forces inplans,” said 1st Lt.Al Anbar. More than 25,000Jared W. Burgess,Marine and sailors of Campa platoon leaderPendleton, Calif.-based I Marinewith the company’sExpeditionary Force are replacingWeapons Platoon.the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based IIDuring the nextMEF.month or so, thebattalion will begradually replacedCpl. Adam C. Schnell is awith another MarineCombatCorrespondent servinginfantry unit. Thewith3rdBattalion, 1st MarineCpl. Adam C. Schnell Marines want toRegiment in western Iraq.leave this onceLance Cpl. Patrick D. Guild, a Oshkosh, Wis., native digs for a possible hiddenFor more information emailinsurgent-heavyweapons cache while Lance Cpl. Casey W. Beeman a Fort Worth, Texashim at SchnellAC@gcemnfarea in good shapenative, assists with a metal detector. Both Marines, infantrymen with Companyfor the new unit,wiraq.usmc.milI, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, were looking for hidden weapons caches the Hawaii-basedin Alus, Iraq, during Operation Minotaur Feb. 26, 2006.3rd Battalion, 3rdCPL. ADAM C. SCHNELL3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regimentthey want to leave no stoneunturned in their quest to huntdown insurgents.“The quiet places are where theinsurgents feel safe to hide,” saidStaff Sgt. Jacob M. Geary, platoonsergeant for Weapons Platoon,Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1stMarine Regiment. Geary’s platoonspearheaded the operation. “If they(insurgents) are hiding here andusing it as a planning site, we wantto show them we will be around todisrupt their plans.”The Camp Pendleton, Calif.based Marines have spent almostsix months in Iraq’s westernAl Anbar Province conductingcounter-insurgency operations andThe Eagle and The CrescentAug. 19, 20057

Marine survives gunshot, defeats attackersLANCE CPL. CHRISTOPHER J.ZAHN2nd Battalion, 6th Marine RegimentFALLUJAH, Iraq (Feb. 23, 2006) -- For someMarines, strenuous hours of training is simplymind over matter. In combat, one Marineproved its Matter over mind.Sgt. John T. Matter, a 26-year-old squadleader from Milwaukee, Wis., survived a blastfrom an improvised explosive device and twoseparate gunshot wounds to run a woundedMarine to safety and lead his Marines out ofthe kill zone here Dec. 12.Recently, he and the Marines he foughtalongside spoke of the day Matter put it in hismind he wouldn’t die. Marines from CompanyE, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,serving with Regimental Combat Team 8, wereperforming a reconnaissance patrol in Fallujahto find a patrol base where they could supportthe upcoming elections.”We arrived at an abandoned hospital andSgt. Matter and I examined the building,”explained 2nd Lt. Jeffery M. Frederick, a 24year-old from Detroit who is Matter’s platooncommander. “We determined that it would notbe a good choice . we were ready to leave thebuilding. I told Sgt. Matter to start pushing hisguys outside.”Matter told his first fire team, led by LanceCpl. Jeffrey M. Roberts, a 20-year-old fromDestin, Fla., to move out of the building. Justas Roberts moved his team of Marines, onepointed out five teenagers pointing in theirdirection and running away.“He also reported that all the shops on thestreet had closed,” Roberts recalled. “I steppedoutside and pointed the kids out to Sgt. Matterwho was right behind me.”It was then an improvised explosivedevice blew up just 15 feet away. Shrapneland dust filled the air. Two of the Marineswere immediately struck by fragments of thebomb, Matter in the face, and Lance Cpl. JohnW. Conlee in the face and upper thighs. Thesituation rapidly grew worse. Gunfire poured inthrough the smoke.”Right after the explosion we started gettinghosed down with automatic weapons firefrom across the street,” Matter explained. “Iwent back inside to get a better grasp on thesituation. The first fire team was pinned downby fire and couldn’t get back inside.”With Marines trapped outside, Matter knewhe had to do something. He looked to his M203 grenade launcher.“I stepped out to shoot a round from my M203 at the building where the fire was comingfrom,” he said. “I got the round off but as I was8shooting I got shot in the leg.”Despite the wound, Matter was able to seehis grenade launched against the attackers hadeffect.”It worked though,” he said. “Doing thatgave the guys time to get back inside. Once wehad everybody back inside we started to laydown some heavy suppressive fire to gain firesuperiority. I moved to take another 203 shotand I got shot again, this time in the neck.”The bullets in his leg and neck didn’tdeter Matter at all. He continued to providesuppressing fire along with the second fire teamled by Cpl. Joshua J. Frazier, 23-year-old fromSpotsylvania, Va. Frazier admitted he was in asense of awe of Matter, even as rounds zippedpast and Marines fought to repel their attackers.”It was a relief to see him still going,”Frazier said. “I saw him get shot in the leg buthe stayed on his feet and stayed in the fight.”Once everyone was back in the house thesquad regrouped and assessed casualties.“I was behind Sgt. Matter when the IEDwent off,” said 1st Lt. James G. King, the26-year-old company executive officer fromWashington D.C. “I got knocked down, sawone guy firing at us and took him down. I sawone Marine - Lance Cpl. Michael D. Copley- was hit so I dragged him into the house andbegan performing first aid on him. After doingthat I grabbed Matter and treated his various injuries.”Matter’s cool head continued to prevailamongst the confusion and lingering threats.”At some point we all noticed that Copleyhad gotten shot in the back of the leg and wasbleeding pretty bad,” Matter said. “We didn’tknow where the bullet had gone after it hithim. I knew that we had to move Copley to themedevac vehicles that had arrived.”Roberts explained he tried to pull Copley’strousers back up before they rushed him tothe waiting vehicles, but he couldn’t lift upCopley’s body weight. Matter stepped in,ignoring his own wounds and told him to throwCopley over his shoulders.”Instead of having a humvee pull up in frontof the building and have them at greater riskof being shot, I picked Copley up over myshoulders and ran with him to the medevacvehicles,” Matter said. “I figured I had a betterchance because I was a smaller target.”Matter rejoined his squad to find.See Wounded, Page 9Lance Cpl. Christopher J. ZahnSgt. John T. Matter, a 26-year-old squad leader from Milwaukee, Wis., looks through hissights during a patrol Feb. 23. He is a squad leader with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6thMarine Regiment currently deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, with Regimental Combat Team 5.On the morning of Dec. 12, Matter was engaged by insurgents in a firefight that left himwounded, but still standing.Aug. 19, 2005The Eagle a

MEF (Fwd) will need your continued love and support to guide them through the challenges and victories that will mark their time here. I ask for your help in keeping their focus on the mission and I thank you for your constant support. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and continue to write, email, and MOTOMAIL.