The family of fallen Marine Sgt. Daniel Vasselian accepted his Bronze Star with combat "V" device last week for heroism in Afghanistan.
Vasselian, a squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, earned the medal for courage under fire in late 2013, particularly during an Oct. 30 heliborne raid mission known as Operation Nightmare III. The 27-year-old was killed Dec. 23 by enemy small arms fire during a security patrol. His unit was part of Task Force Belleau Wood, which protected Camps Bastion and Leatherneck in Helmand province.
Vasselian demonstrated bold leadership even while under heavy enemy machine gun fire during Operation Nightmare III, according to his medal citation. Bravo Company, working with local troops assigned to Afghanistan Territorial Force 444, set out to disrupt insurgent activity in the Musa Qala district.
During the mission, Vasselian led troops to support another unit cornered by enemy fire, according to his citation. He directed his Marines to fire on enemy fighting positions, allowing the troops in danger to find cover.
"[Vasselian's] unrelenting efforts to secure the raid force's western flank greatly contributed to the destruction of a sizable lethal aid cache and the disruption of a determined insurgent cell," his citation reads.
Vasselian was also recognized for "relentless resolve and steady courage under fire" during two other named heliborne operations and 10 combat patrols over a span of two months, according to the citation.
He was killed while placing himself in danger to protect his fellow Marines. Vasselian's official summary of action recounts that was conducting a dismounted patrol when the unit began taking small arms fire.
He continued the patrol, maneuvering toward the source of the fire. The Marines pursued the enemy for more than two hours. As they prepared to link up with the unit providing overwatch, they again faced enemy fire from the west.
Vasselian left cover in order to make visual contact with the other unit.
"Placing himself in harm's way, [Vasselian] prevented the adjoining unit from overexposing themselves to the enemy threat," his summary of action reads. "As he made his way out of the position and made visual link-up with the unit to the north, he turned south to return back to his Marines when one round of enemy small arms fire struck him in the chest, mortally wounding him."
Vasselian was originally nominated for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, according to Marine Corps officials, but was later upgraded to a Bronze Star with the combat distinguishing device for valor.
His family received his medal on Oct. 13 during a ceremony in their hometown of Abington, Massachusetts. His wife, Erin, and parents, Karen and Mark, were all recognized during the ceremony, according to a Marine Corps news release.
Marines in Afghanistan told Marine Corps Times earlier this year that Vasselian was known for a favorite catch phrase, "Going out to pick a fight." He wrote the words on a Bravo Company office white board before departing on what would be his last patrol.
Sgt. Christopher Leonard, a fire team leader with Vasselian's unit, said Vasselian lost his life protecting others, according to the release.
"He was killed stepping out of a doorway so someone else wouldn't have to," he said.
