Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, 28, of Manchester, N.H. He graduated from Memorial High School in 1999 and then studied at the Manchester School of Technology. Michael joined the Marine Corps on June 15, 2005 and was trained as an infantryman. He deployed to Iraq from March 2006 to September 2006 and again from July 2007 to January 2008. He deployed to Afghanistan in November 2008, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He died March 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Michael is survived by his parents, Leonard and Donna (Bedard) Ouellette; a sister, Stephanie Ouellette, of Manchester; a brother, Alan Ouellette, of Manchester; a paternal grandmother, Dora Ouellette, of Windham; and several aunts and uncles.
Michael was awarded The Navy Cross on November 10, 2010. His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (Reinforced), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force- Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On 22 March 2009, Corporal Ouellette was leading his squad on a combat patrol in Nowzad District, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath his feet, severing his left leg and spraying him with shrapnel. Following the explosion, he directed his squad to prepare a hasty defense while helping to treat his own injuries. Moments later, enemy fighters opened fire on his squad with assault rifles and machine guns from point blank range. Even as a Corpsman worked to stem his massive bleeding, Corporal Ouellette continued to direct the fire of his squad. When attack helicopters arrived, he coolly talked his radio operator through the employment of the aircraft as they made repeated strafing runs within 20 meters of the squad's position. These expertly-applied fires suppressed the enemy long enough for a fire team to link up with reinforcements and bring them forward to Corporal Ouellette's position. He held that position and continued to give orders to his squad as they fought, allowing himself to be evacuated only when the entire squad was ready to move out of the area. He continued to give directions to his team leader up until he was loaded into an ambulance, where he soon lost consciousness. He later succumbed to his wounds. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Ouellette reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Michael was awarded The Navy Cross on November 10, 2010. His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (Reinforced), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force- Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On 22 March 2009, Corporal Ouellette was leading his squad on a combat patrol in Nowzad District, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath his feet, severing his left leg and spraying him with shrapnel. Following the explosion, he directed his squad to prepare a hasty defense while helping to treat his own injuries. Moments later, enemy fighters opened fire on his squad with assault rifles and machine guns from point blank range. Even as a Corpsman worked to stem his massive bleeding, Corporal Ouellette continued to direct the fire of his squad. When attack helicopters arrived, he coolly talked his radio operator through the employment of the aircraft as they made repeated strafing runs within 20 meters of the squad's position. These expertly-applied fires suppressed the enemy long enough for a fire team to link up with reinforcements and bring them forward to Corporal Ouellette's position. He held that position and continued to give orders to his squad as they fought, allowing himself to be evacuated only when the entire squad was ready to move out of the area. He continued to give directions to his team leader up until he was loaded into an ambulance, where he soon lost consciousness. He later succumbed to his wounds. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Ouellette reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, 28, of Manchester, N.H. He graduated from Memorial High School in 1999 and then studied at the Manchester School of Technology. Michael joined the Marine Corps on June 15, 2005 and was trained as an infantryman. He deployed to Iraq from March 2006 to September 2006 and again from July 2007 to January 2008. He deployed to Afghanistan in November 2008, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He died March 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Michael is survived by his parents, Leonard and Donna (Bedard) Ouellette; a sister, Stephanie Ouellette, of Manchester; a brother, Alan Ouellette, of Manchester; a paternal grandmother, Dora Ouellette, of Windham; and several aunts and uncles.
Michael was awarded The Navy Cross on November 10, 2010. His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (Reinforced), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force- Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On 22 March 2009, Corporal Ouellette was leading his squad on a combat patrol in Nowzad District, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath his feet, severing his left leg and spraying him with shrapnel. Following the explosion, he directed his squad to prepare a hasty defense while helping to treat his own injuries. Moments later, enemy fighters opened fire on his squad with assault rifles and machine guns from point blank range. Even as a Corpsman worked to stem his massive bleeding, Corporal Ouellette continued to direct the fire of his squad. When attack helicopters arrived, he coolly talked his radio operator through the employment of the aircraft as they made repeated strafing runs within 20 meters of the squad's position. These expertly-applied fires suppressed the enemy long enough for a fire team to link up with reinforcements and bring them forward to Corporal Ouellette's position. He held that position and continued to give orders to his squad as they fought, allowing himself to be evacuated only when the entire squad was ready to move out of the area. He continued to give directions to his team leader up until he was loaded into an ambulance, where he soon lost consciousness. He later succumbed to his wounds. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Ouellette reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Michael was awarded The Navy Cross on November 10, 2010. His citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Michael W. Ouellette, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (Reinforced), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force- Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On 22 March 2009, Corporal Ouellette was leading his squad on a combat patrol in Nowzad District, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath his feet, severing his left leg and spraying him with shrapnel. Following the explosion, he directed his squad to prepare a hasty defense while helping to treat his own injuries. Moments later, enemy fighters opened fire on his squad with assault rifles and machine guns from point blank range. Even as a Corpsman worked to stem his massive bleeding, Corporal Ouellette continued to direct the fire of his squad. When attack helicopters arrived, he coolly talked his radio operator through the employment of the aircraft as they made repeated strafing runs within 20 meters of the squad's position. These expertly-applied fires suppressed the enemy long enough for a fire team to link up with reinforcements and bring them forward to Corporal Ouellette's position. He held that position and continued to give orders to his squad as they fought, allowing himself to be evacuated only when the entire squad was ready to move out of the area. He continued to give directions to his team leader up until he was loaded into an ambulance, where he soon lost consciousness. He later succumbed to his wounds. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Ouellette reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Inscription
CPL US MARINE CORPS
AFGHANISTAN
