Heroic achievement while serving as Fire Team Leader, 2D Squad, 2D Platoon, Company I, 3D Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II on 17 October 2004. Lance Corporal Rund unhesitatingly placed himself in harms way to ensure a safe withdrawal for the members of his squad who were heavily engaged by the enemy. Lance Corporal Rund bravely employed heavy machine gun fire on insurgent positions while leading his squad out of positions vulnerable to devastating enemy fires. His Leadership skills and courage under fire exemplified those typically displayed by well seasoned Non-Commissioned Officers. His courageous efforts to destroy the enemy were well known across the battlefield. Lance Corporal Rund’s initiative, perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Lance Corporal Rund USMC is recommended for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat "V" in recognition for heroic performance while serving as Fire Team leader, 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines on 17 October 2004 during combat operation in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. Superior professional achievement is as follows:
During a squad combat patrol up to and around Trestles Bridge, Lance Corporal Rund was assigned to standby on the east side of Main Supply Route (MSR) Mobile with two fire teams to prepare in suppressing any enemy who opened fire on the rest of the squad patrolling under the bridge. The squad came into contact by the enemy and was effectively pinned down by sniper, machine gun, and indirect fire. Without hesitation, and at the risk of his own life, Lance Corporal Rund immediately charged up onto MSR Mobile to dictate action.
Once in position, Lance Corporal Rund set about the proper emplacement of his section of the squad and gained strong effects with both the direct fire, and the indirect fire weapons under his command. Placing himself in additional danger, Lance Corporal Rund repeatedly traversed the firing line of the Marines to his left and right and ensured that those Marines intelligently employed their weapon systems and maintained fire superiority over the enemy.
A military convoy approached the firefight and turned into defilade on the East side of MSR Mobile. Realizing the impact that heavy caliber machine guns could have in the continuing exchange of gunfire, Lance Corporal Rund again placed himself in harms way and left his firing position to direct the driver of the convoy back onto the MSR and into the fight. Lance Corporal Rund then oriented the .50 caliber machine guns mounted on the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) towards the enemy.
As the firefight continued for five hours, Lance Corporal Rund was relentless in directing the fire of the unit under his charge and displayed an unwillingness to withdraw from his position on the MSR until ordered to do so by his Company Commander. Even while withdrawing off of the MSR, Lance Corporal Rund continued to direct his men to provide their own suppression and provided cover for their movement off of the MSR. Once off the road, he linked up with his squad leader and turned over the control of his Marines.
Lance Corporal Rund's demonstration of outstanding leadership, judgment, and unwavering courage under fire enabled the Marines in his charge to influence and overcome the initial contact with the enemy and ensured that the enemy did not achieve fire superiority over the initially outnumbered Marines. Throughout the combat engagement, Lance Corporal Rund demonstrated the leadership skills and tactical proficiency that epitomizes a Marine Noncommissioned Officer. He is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy Achievement Medal with "V".
