Idaho Marine receives award for heroic actions in Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Taylor D. Moody of Mountain Home, Idaho, reports to the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division (Forward), Brig. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, during an award ceremony Sept. 30. The automatic rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device for heroic actions performed June 27. Moody’s fire team was ambushed with enemy gunfire while patrolling through waist-high waters in a canal. Without receiving orders, Moody quickly climbed to the brim of the canal wall, exposing himself, and returned machine gun fire at the enemy as incoming rounds impacted around him, allowing his fire team to maneuver to safety. The 20-year-old Moody, a graduate of Mountain Home High School, said the best part of being deployed is the daily camaraderie he shares with his fellow Marines, who he described as his brothers. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, is currently assigned to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.