Marine Modest Regarding Award Credits Team Effort
When his unit spent three days in house in June last year and took shelter, Sgt Evers thought perhaps he could finally rest. He and his fellow soldiers had just been in a firefight with about sixty enemy insurgents lasting nearly thirty-six hours.
Suddenly a pickup truck that had been loaded with explosives busted through the outer barrier, and blew up, creating a huge hole over twenty feet wide.
Despite this and the total destruction in the four-day battle, no one in Sgt Evers Platoon died. All twenty-three U.S. Marines made it through. Marine Corps Commandant General James Conway gave the Silver Star to Sgt Evers in a ceremony held on November 23rd. Sgt Evers was awarded the Medal for his ability to seize and hold a position and for his leadership ability.
Sgt. Evers has made two successful tours in Iraq, serving as platoon commander for his 3rd Platoon, 3rd Battalion, and 5th Marines. His platoon is one that is tasked with stopping IED explosives along the Route known as Route Michigan.
After his Platoon had set up an observation post, about sixty insurgents opened fire with automatic weapons and machine guns, grenades and other small arms fire. The assault continued for the next four days without stop.
Despite this the platoon held it position.
“It may have been me that has been awarded the Silver Star, but it has been a team effort,” said Evers. “The guys did the job, I am just happy that I got the chance to bring them all back.”
