Lance Cpl. Antonio Wilcoxson, of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, stands post Jan. 31 as the sun rises at a patrol base near Combat Outpost Ouellette. (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper)
In retrospect, it makes complete sense.
With 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, and other elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit recently called off Navy ships to join the fight in Afghanistan, the battalion has named one of its combat outposts something familiar, according to this news release: Ouellette.
The name honors Cpl. Michael Ouellette, who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross earlier this year for actions with 3/8 in Afghanistan in 2009. A squad leader, he ignored fatal wounds sustained by an improvised explosive device in Now Zad district, directing his Marines’ fire and calling in for fire support. The lower half of his left leg was gone and his right thigh and groin area were wounded by shrapnel.
Marine officials weren’t initially clear where in Helmand province the outpost is, but commanders have said previously the MEU would deploy to the upper Gereshk Valley, partway between violent Sangin district and Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.
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I am mother to LCpl Daniel Barron (you mentioned his group on here) and am glad to find “ANY” place on here that allows me a glimpse into my sons world over there! The first time he was there I “heard & saw nothing” – NO wifes/mothers group, NO nada, zip – I felt as if the Military separated us & was keeping us apart.