News

The next USEF Guitar Recipient has been chosen.

Please read the letter from the Command who submitted SSGT Scott to be signaled out for his Valor in Action. We are proud to Gift this Marine and say Thank You for what you do and making this Nation Proud. SSGT Scott did not shed any tears in Combat only Bravery, the only tears from this Marine is when he was gifted the Guitar. There are so many who deserve this Honor, please help us get more Guitars to give away.

While serving as a Force Reconnaissance Scout for the 5th Platoon, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company (-) (REIN) on 17 April 2004 in Husaybah, Iraq, SSgt Michael Scott’s team was tasked to reinforce another team that was pinned down by enemy fire in the northeastern section of Husaybah while they were conducting an urban sniper observation post. SSgt Scott’s team of ten marines departed Lima Company, 3rd Bn 7th Marine’s Firm Base in two vehicles and drove east on Market Street in Husaybah. Enroute to the objective area, the team was approximately 500 meters from their destination when they were engaged by a complex attack initiated by an Improved Explosive Device (IED) strike, followed up by small arms fire. SSgt Scott was seriously wounded in his shoulder by shrapnel from the IED explosion while the vehicle sustained minor damage. He was triaged by a Corpsman and recommended for evacuation back to the Lima Company Firm Base. Initially refusing medical evacuation, he had to be ordered by his platoon Commander to get medical attention. SSgt Scott returned to Lima Company’s Firm Base where he was treated by a medical Officer and sent to his billet area to recuperate.

Shortly after returning to his billet area, Lima Company Firm Base came under attack by small arms fire. Despite his injures, he instinctively grabbed his M-4 rifle and ran outside to a perimeter guard tower where he began to engage the enemy attempting to overrun the base. With some of the enemy fighters more than nine hundred meters away, SSgt Scott quickly assessed the need to use a sniper weapon. While exposed to enemy small arms fire, he left the guard tower and ran to get another Force Recon Marine’s unused M-40 sniper rifle, and returned to a tower that had a scout sniper team. He immediately began engaging dismounted enemy fighters at distances in excess of eight hundred meters. SSgt Scott engaged a vehicle loaded with twelve insurgents moving west along Train Road with sustained accurate sniper fire. The enemy counterattacked the guard tower with a volley of small arms fire making the position untenable. He withdrew from the tower and relocated to a more suitable tower occupied by three Combat Engineers. SSgt Scott immediately took charge of the Marines in the tower, assigned them fields of fire and issued commands to direct their fire while simultaneously engaging the enemy with his own weapon. SSgt Scott fired over fifty-five M-40 sniper rounds and countless M-4 rounds killing and wounding numerous enemy fighters for over 7 hours of sustained combat during the day. With complete disregard for his own safety and despite his wounds, SSgt Scott’s unfaltering determination and superior leadership while under continuous, effective fire were deserving of the bronze star medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.

Purple Heart Recipient, full time single father of 3 boys and care giver of his parents as well. Thanks for this consideration.