CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Lt. Col. Michael E. McWilliams, the outgoing commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, received the Bronze Star during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 19.
“I want to thank you for an absolutely phenomenal job overseas,” said Maj. Gen. Michael G. Dana, the 2nd MLG commanding general. “I had 14 different commanders over a year in Afghanistan, and no one is more deserving of this award than you are.”
From February to August 2011, McWilliams led the Marines of CLB-8 on an extremely kinetic deployment through improvised explosive device-laden terrain completing more than 120 convoys to deliver approximately 12,500 tons of cargo and 2.5 million gallons of fuel.
“The things in the citation are what you did,” McWilliams explained to the Marines and sailors in attendance. “I’m very proud of our accomplishments in Afghanistan … when I wear this award, I’ll think of all of you in CLB-8 because you are who really earned it.”