MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA. – One Marine and three Sailors were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for meritorious service during a ceremony aboard Camp Wilson, Calif., Aug. 11, 2024.

The Marine and Sailors responded quickly when an incident occurred on a firing range during Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 5-24 in July 2024. Their actions directly contributed to saving the life of a Marine while he was awaiting a helicopter evacuation to a nearby hospital. The Marine was treated and subsequently released to recover along with his family. The Marine and his family spoke via video call with command during the awards ceremony.

Major General David L. Odom, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division (MARDIV), recognized the soldiers during his visit to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

Lt. Col. Ted Driscoll, commander of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV, expressed his gratitude to the award recipients, saying, “The immediate and responsive actions of our Marines and Sailors exemplify the professionalism and dedication we value as a unit. Thanks to their quick actions and the additional support of other Marines, Sailors and civilians from the battalion, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, one Marine is still alive and on the road to recovery.”

The winners were:

Cpl. Cullen Potter, of Dripping Springs, Texas, an anti-tank missile gunner and squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.

Carlos Calvillo, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Petty Officer from Banning, California, a field medic and company line corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.

Jonathan Wegner, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Petty Officer from St. Louis, Missouri, a medic with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.

Hospital Corpsman First Class Petty Officer Efrain Barrera of Coalinga, Calif., a field medic and battalion commanding chief petty officer with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd MARDIV.