Marine Corps News Room

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Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200621474420
Story by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Zahn

Sergeant Mindo D. Estrella, a 22-year-old Erie, Pa., native was presented the award here, Feb. 3.

Estrella has served with the battalion since February 2003. He assumed the billet of squad leader as a lance corporal, and his knowledge, skill level and leadership ability, even at that grade, were easily evident and led to him being meritoriously promoted to corporal.

As a corporal, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 where he showed his ability to adapt to any mission. He led numerous combat patrols in support of the embassy security mission, participated as a leader and instructor in all platoon live-fire ranges and was the key small unit leader on the ground during a security mission in support of the inauguration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, which the Vice President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense attended.

He trained his squad in the unfamiliar mission of embassy security. He also took time to ensure they never lost their basic infantry skills. His attention to detail enabled his squad to excel in a demanding environment.

He received the Navy Marine Corps Achievement medal for his actions in Afghanistan.

His motivation, dedication, and devotion to his squad significantly impacted its readiness for the company’s upcoming deployment. Estrella constantly supervised his Marines to ensure they acted in accordance with the commander's intent. His supervision allowed for extensive learning to occur during all training evolutions, including participation in the Revised Combined Arms Exercise and Stability and Support Operations Training at Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

Throughout his deployment to Iraq in 2005, he continually displayed his hallmark tenacity and uncanny leadership abilities. From the period of Sept. 1, 2005 until wounded on Nov. 12, 2005, he led his squad on more than 50 combat patrols, numerous house searches, and a variety of intelligence-based operations.

His leadership abilities enabled his squad to successfully pursue and capture numerous insurgents, along with collecting viable intelligence to be utilized in the development of target packages of suspected insurgents, within Company F's area of operations.

The impact that Estrella, as a leader, had on his squad was readily apparent when he was wounded and evacuated back to the United States. While on the way back from patrol, he was maintaining security as his Marines crossed through a danger area. As he began to move out of his security position, he noticed someone out of his peripheral vision. As he raised his weapon he felt something hit him in the shoulder, heard it bounce off the wall of the house beside him, and land at his feet.

Displaying outstanding situational awareness while gaining distance from the threat, Sgt. Estrella was shouting to alert his squad that a grenade had been thrown. Despite his evasive efforts, the grenade exploded, sending numerous pieces of shrapnel that impacted his back, upper legs and knees.

Once dragged to safety and while being worked on by the corpsman and combat lifesavers, he still maintained control of his squad. He directed efforts to secure the area, and provided them with information on what had happened, along with courses of action to take. He continued to relay information to his superiors regarding the attack after being evacuated to the company aid station.

His unselfishness was demonstrated by his concern for the well-being of his squad, even while wounded.

“The fact that his squad didn’t miss a beat tactics wise, that they were able to step up and take over the mission, is the true display of his leadership,” said 1st Sgt. Howard L. Kreamer, company first sergeant for Company F.

“He is an outstanding Marine in every way, a true professional. He is the epitome of motivation and esprit de corps. To this day his primary concern is still his squad, and never himself.”

Estrella’s squad members feel his absence but know that they have to continue on and when they return home he will be there waiting for them.

“I’ve been with him since the School of Infantry. We have always been in the same squad, platoon since then,” said Sgt. Leroy O. Butler, the squad leader for 1st Squad, 4th Patoon. “We were both raised in the Marine Corps the same way, so I just try and do things like he would, follow in his footsteps.

“I try and call him as much as I can to let him know how the squad is doing. Every time I talk to him, he wants to be back here with the squad, and I know he isn’t lying. He said he would be there at Cherry Point waiting for us when we got home though.”

“The best quality Sgt. Estrella displays is that he really cares about the welfare of his men,” said 2nd Lt. Kevin M. O’Donnell, the platoon commander for 4th Platoon. “He’s a motivator, his attitude carried over to the squad after he left. They’re still going strong even though he isn’t here, it’s like they don’t want to let him down.”

Such dedication and leadership was simple to achieve, Estrella merely stuck to the basics.

“It’s real easy for a squad leader to get too high-speed and try to do too much,” said Staff Sgt. James R. DeBerry, the platoon sergeant for 4th Platoon. “He kept it simple, and got things done.”

Before he was wounded, Estrella re-enlisted for another four years, with the goal of being sent to a Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team company. He is currently back at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., undergoing extensive rehabilitation and awaiting the day he will be reunited with his squad.