During a humanitarian food distribution mission in Haiti last month, four Marines standing as security for U.N. workers provided first aid to an injured civilian and detained two locals posing a threat to U.S. forces as well as innocent Haitian people who had lined up to receive aid.
Sgt. Robert T. Bass, Cpl. Julian M. Guzman, Lance Cpl. David L. Annis, and Lance Cpl. Jacob L. Swanson, infantrymen with the Ground Combat Element, Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 10, were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Feb. 27, for their actions in Haiti.
While Marines were passing out 600 boxes of food to more than 4,000 Haitians in January, they were approached by a woman with a deep laceration. She was seeking medical attention. Guzman and Annis immediately provided aid, as a Navy Corpsman was not readily available.
“My back was to the crowd while I was giving first aid and I completely trusted my fire team to look out for me,” said Guzman.
Shortly after treating the woman, the man suspected of attacking her was brought to the Marines. After Swanson completed a search and found two razor blades in the man’s possession, Bass detained the man and escorted him to one of the humvees.
Toward the end of the food distribution, the crowd started to push closer to the trucks, making their way to the perimeter the Marines had originally established. As the crowd grew and chaos began, a man pulled out a large knife and starting swinging, cutting Annis and threatening others.
Using Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training, the Marines wrestled the man to the ground, and forced the weapon out of his hand employing pain compliance techniques. When other locals began to get out of hand, the four Marines used their skills to prevent further incidents and keep the rowdy crowd in check.
“My squad did a great job handling the situation and did exactly what they were trained to do,” said Bass. “They de-escalated the situation without making it worse and prevented U.S. forces, U.N. forces, and locals from further injury.”
Lt. Col. John Golden, commanding officer, Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force awarded The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to the Marines for the precise application of escalation of force measures. The actions taken by the Marines led to a threat being safely contained without causing harm to anyone in the crowd. Given the chaotic situation, the Marines acted with the highest caliber of professionalism, getting the job done and preventing further incidents.
“My squad handled the situation in the best manner possible, and I wouldn’t expect anything less,” said Bass. “Obviously, our safety is the first priority and if anyone poses a threat, it’s our job to look out for other Marines first and foremost.”
The APS-10 SCMAGTF was redirected to Haiti to assist the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts after an earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation last month. They completed their work in Haiti and are continuing on their original mission to conduct Theater Security Cooperation in the West African countries of Ghana, Senegal and Liberia.