Stand Alone Photograph: DeFilippis, Chase, Medina, Barstow, Zrioka
1st Place Stand Alone Photograph by Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis: Maj. Jason P. Smith, convoy commander and amphibious assault officer, takes time away from convoy operations to interact and play with some Liberian children during a convoy to deliver humanitarian supplies throughout the city of Monrovia, Liberia.
Category sponsored by Victoria Conkel-Turney
1st Place: Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis, Marine Forces Europe
Monrovia, Liberia, was the site of this closeup showing a group of native kids having a ball with a member of the Marine unit – rubbing his very bald head, with the kids and the Marine obviously enjoying the moment.
2nd Place: LCpl. Jacob W. Chase, 26th MEU
Honorable Mention: LCpl. Robert Medina, 1st Marine Logistics Group
Honorable Mention: Cpl. Tyler Barstow, 1st Marine Logistics Group
Honorable Mention: LCpl. Pete Zrioka, MCAS Yuma
More award-winning photos below
2nd Place Stand Alone Photograph by LCpl Jacob W. Chase: A Marine from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit jumps about 30 feet from the starboard aircraft elevator of the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) during a swim call in the Arabian Sea Oct. 5, 2008. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and ships of the Iwo Jima Strike Group are currently conducting security and stability operations in Central Command Area of Responsibility.
Honorable Mention Stand Alone Photograph by LCpl. Robert Medina: HABBANIYAH, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers from 4th Brigade, 7th Division, lower their flags as another Soldier removes them for storage at the Basic Combat Training course here Mar. 9. More than 900 Soldiers graduated the course. The course is six weeks long and provides instruction in military drill, tactical maneuvers and marksmanship. The marksmanship training is supervised and instructed by U.S. Marines at the Advanced Infantry Training Center here. The AITC graduated approximately 14,000 Iraqi Soldiers and Police officers from its course in 2007, which is just 2,000 less than the number of recruits who graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. The BCT recruits are instructed primarily by Iraqi Soldiers.
Honorable Mention Stand Alone Photograph by Cpl. Tyler Barstow: A young Kabani boy squats in the doorway to the waiting room at the Cooperative Medical Engagement as Petty Officer 2nd Class Miriam Hurtado waits for more patients, March 18. “The fact that you helped them is rewarding,” she said. “We don’t even speak the same language but you can tell they’re grateful,” said the 25-year-old who would greet and receive waves from the citizens as they left with their supplies. Hurtado said that they were happy with what they received, regardless of what it was. Whether it was lip balm or medicine, their token was a sign of the trust between the service members and them, and proof that change is being made.
Honorable Mention Stand Alone Photograph by LCpl. Pete Zrioka: A Marine Attack Squadron 311 plane captain, is greeted by his daughter Julianna and his wife Kristen Friday on the flight line here after returning from a deployment to Iraq. Sholl was one of approximately 170 Marines from VMA-311 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 who recently returned from the six-month deployment.