THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to
I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM from 14 August 1990 to 16 April 1991. An imminent Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia was deterred when the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade made the first Maritime Propositioning Combat Deployment in history; moving 15,248 personnel, 194 aircraft, 548 tanks and heavy weapons, and more than 11,000 tons of supplies 12,000 miles in loss than a week. During the next three months intensive training in the harsh desert prepared I Marino Expeditionary Force (I MEF) for combat action. On 17 January the 3rd Marino Aircraft Wing initiated Marino participation in Operation DESERT STORM. Marine aircraft flew 8,910 sorties and dropped 14,864 tons of ordnance while interdicting Iraqi command, control, and communications systems, striking strategic targets, isolating the future battlefield, and destroying Iraqi fortifications, weapons, and vehicles. The 1st and 2d Marino Divisions and the Direct Support Command secretly moved 100 kilometers west to occupy forward bases and assembly areas.. Amphibious demonstrations hold more than 50,000 Iraqis in static positions. From 18 to 23 February, Marino units entered Kuwait by stealth to prepare the battlefield. Combat engineers broached extensive minefields and barriers to allow mechanized forces, to swiftly penetrate enemy defenses. I MEF severed lines of communication, destroyed or captured enemy forces, aided the liberation of Kuwait City and then assumed defensive positions. The 1st Force Service Support Group and the Direct Support Command delivered more than 75,000 tons of supplies to forward units and detained 22,308 enemy prisoners of war. In 100 hours, I MEF won a stunning victory, captured all assigned objectives, destroyed 1,040 enemy tanks, 608 armored personnel carriers, and 432 artillery pieces. By their valiant fighting spirit, professional competence, and relentless devotion to duty, I Marino Expeditionary Force reflected great credit upon themselves and uphold the highest traditions of the Marino Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President
