Marine Posthumously Awarded Bronze Star for Heroics [Video Clip]

By Lance Cpl. James Gulliver, 1^st Marine Division

“Always faithful” is a saying that has been a way of life for U.S. Marines since they adopted the motto in the late 1800s. The word continues to echo on the battlefield today.

Sgt. William Stacey, a squad leader who served with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, lived through that motto and tragically died through that motto. He used the phrase in a letter written to his family just before he was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2012. He said he was that willing to give his life for the good of the people of Afghanistan and for his Marines. 

Stacey was described by many of his peers as a perfect Marine. Always putting his squad before himself, he led them through many combat engagements in Afghanistan, and in doing so led to victory in success in their countless missions. Marines in his squad said his selfless acts were the reason why his unit was lethal and able to return home after their deployment.

Stacey was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for valor during a ceremony at the 5th Marine Regiment parade field here Feb. 15, for his many acts perseverance and courage during his deployment to Afghanistan in late 2011.

The award citation specifically states an incident that occurred Nov. 26, 2011, while Stacey and his squad were engaged in heavy combat in an insurgent-infested region of Helmand province. In order to assault an enemy position, Stacey personally moved 200 meters over exposed ground and withering enemy fire into tactically advantageous terrain and achieved fire superiority.

Even though he was drastically outnumbered, Stacey held his ground under intense fire, beating back numerous flanking attempts and continuing the fight for several hours.

After running out of ammunition he directed his squad out of the kill zone and back to the patrol base, unquestionably saving the lives of many Marines.

“We were taking a lot of fire. Bullets were landing pretty close to me. I kind of froze, and a lot of us did at that point,” said Cpl. Jeff Otterson, a team leader with Stacey’s squad and Buckley, Wash., native. “But he kept calm, got up, looked at me and said ‘lets go.’ That calm voice and that demeanor got us through it that day.” 

Stacey had a love for not just his fellow Marines, but also the people of Afghanistan. 

In his final of many letters he wrote home, Stacey wrote, “If my life buys the safety of one child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it.”

“A lot of the time you don’t agree a lot with what the locals do, but he was there for them just as much as us,” said Lance Cpl. Dustin Branges, Stacey’s field radio operator and a native of Flagstaff, Ariz. “It did not matter if you were American or Afghan, he liked to take care of people.”

Stacey continued to put his squad and the people of Afghanistan before himself throughout his deployment. On Jan. 31, 2012, Stacey’s squad was conducting a foot patrol. Stacey went ahead of the squad to check for improvised explosive devices in hold-up location prior to his Marines occupying the position. During his search, he triggered an IED and was killed.

“He was somebody you just tried to emulate and you wanted to be like him,” Branges said. “His prowess and skill at his job is what gave him his confidence, and you wanted to just be like that. All of us did.”

His Marine friends agree that Stacey embodies all the principles a Marine should live, and die by. He closed his letter with a quote that all Marines understand very well. “Semper Fidelis means always faithful. Always faithful to God, country and Corps. Always faithful to the principles and beliefs that guided me into service.”