Afghan Uniformed Police Sgt. Mateen (center), flanked

Afghan Uniformed Police Sgt. Mateen (center), flanked by fellow policemen, was responsible for leading a patrol of police to the canal where Lance Cpl. Benjamin Nalls lost his rifle during a patrol Feb. 23, 2012. Nalls fell into the canal as he was crossing a bridge. The strong current swept down, flipping him head-over-heals several times, causing him to lose his rifle. Less than a week later, after the Marines had searched day in and day out, Sgt. Mateen took it upon himself to lead his police to the canal and search for the rifle. Upon discovering the Marine weapon, they immediately returned it to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion where Nalls serves as a fire team leader with the battalion's Delta Company.