In January of 2003 The Marine Corps answered the call and the all of 1st Marine Division was sent to Kuwait to await further Instructions in support of of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staging at Camp Coyote (LSA-Ripper) Tow Platoon waiting with the rest of the 7th Marine Regiment to invade Iraq. Six weeks later on March 21st 2003 we crossed the border at Safwan and spearheaded the invasion from Safwan through An Nazarya, Al Kut, Azubayr, and into Bagdad. Now an element of Regimental Combat Team 7 (RCT-7) Tow platoon conducted many ground operations until May of 2003 when we were replaced by the Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Bagdad. We left the theatre in June of 2003 and boarded the USS Boxer in order to travel back to the United States.
After 6 months of relaxation and predeployement training Tows and Scouts were both sent along with Charlie Co to Al Fallujah Iraq. Scouts conducted security for the Regimental Commander and Tows were sent to many units including E-Co 2/1, 1st Recon Bn, Hotel 3/1, and EOD security. We spent most of our tour in Fallujah with 1st Recon Bn condlucting patrols, raids, ambushes, and QRF missions. On August 8th 2004 I was injured from an Iraqi Improvised Explosive Device near Al Fallujah. There were many IED's in the area and our patrols came across them frequently. Our platoon had three casualties during our tour, our Bn lost three Marines, and ten were injured. In Oct of 2004 we returned to the United States and on Dec 25th 2004 my contract with the Marine Corps ended so that I could go to school. When I left my duty station I left as a Corporal with the following awards. The National Defense Medal, The Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Medal, The Combat Action Ribbon, The Presidential Unit Citation, Certificate of Commendation, and the Purple Heart.
