CONGRATULATIONS!
Sgt. George M. Mercuri receives the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious
service while serving in Balad, Iraq.
Notably, SGT George M. Mercuri is the first family member in a long line of Veterans before him since WWI beginning with Col. (Ret) Joseph W. Mercuri's (George's dad) great Uncle Pasquale Mercuri from Meriden, CT who served in the Army that has been awarded this prestigious medal !
31 March 2008
SOMERVILLE SOLDIER RECEIVES “THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL” IN IRAQ
SGT George M. Mercuri of Somerville, MA was presented with “The Bronze Star
Medal” during an
award ceremony on March 26, 2008 at Camp Anaconda in Balad,
IRAQ, for “Exceptional Meritorious Service during Operation Iraqi Freedom”
07-09. BG Gregory E. Couch, Commanding General, of the 316th Sustainment
Command (Expeditionary), presented the award to SGT Mercuri a 2002 Graduate
of Somerville High School.
SGT Mercuri who recently was promoted and a new inductee to the units Non- commissioned officer (NCO) corps functioned in the absence of his supervisor who is two pay grades higher than his own for much of his tour. As the NCO in charge he was responsible for personnel senior to him within his section. Soldiers from his section respected his skill sets and have willingly followed his lead due to his positive can do attitude.
Sergeant Mercuri led the section as if he had been a long term noncommissioned officer despite being a newly promoted Sergeant. Due to his technical expertise, attention to detail, Sergeant Mercuri built more than 1000 route maps for incidents and convoy commanders. He took grid coordinates and made them into visual tools for people to understand the impacts of an incident. These products were immediately made available to the Sustainment Brigades and their transportation and S-3 sections for planning and operational purposes.
This young NCO supported convoy commanders on the ground and their safe movement across the battlefield. He has been acknowledged as one of the primary contacts in avoiding numerous incidents for convoys traveling in movement corridors, and preventing potential loss of lives while previous military convoys have been targeted with Vehicle Improvised Explosive Devices (VIED). Sergeant Mercuri was involved in and produced weather mitigation slides for both 3rd Corps and the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and briefed these slides at General Officer level briefs. Sergeant Mercuri also participated in Sustainment Command level planning sessions as the route and convoy route subject matter expert.
“Local communities who educated these young soldiers should be proud of their many accomplishments and achievements, not only are many of these soldiers technically proficient but their willingness and unique ability to serve our country is a great credit upon themselves and a compliment to the dedication of their teachers, principals, friends and family”, noted SGT Mercuri’s Dad, retired Massachusetts National Guard Colonel Joseph W. Mercuri.
Sergeant
George M. Mercuri’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of
military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 719th
Movement Control Battalion, the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and
the United States Army.
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POINT OF CONTACT: Phone: (617)
666-5900
COL (Ret) Joseph W. Mercuri E-mail:
mercurijw@erols.com