They gave it all for their brothers-in-arms. The families of Capt. Matthew Manoukian and Staff Sgt. Sky Mote, both of MARSOC’s 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, accepted their posthumous Navy Crosses aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Saturday. Manoukian and Mote both demonstrated extraordinary courage during an insider attack in Afghanistan in 2012. When a man dressed as an Afghan National policeman approached their tactical operations center firing an AK-47, they exposed themselves to a hail of gunfire to engage the attacker and allow comrades a chance to escape.
Marcia Mote, mother of Staff Sgt. Sky Mote, wears the newly awarded Navy Cross, during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Jan. 18, 2014. By Lance Cpl. Seth Starr/Marine Corps
Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, the commanding general of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, presented the Navy Cross to Russell and Marcia Mote, parents of Staff Sgt. Sky Mote, during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Jan. 18, 2014. Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Starr/Marine Corps
Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, the commanding general of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, presents the Navy Cross to Socrates Manoukian and Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, parents of Capt. Matthew Manoukian, during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Jan. 18, 2014. Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Starr/Marine Corps
Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Starr/Marine Corps
2 Comments
Grew up with Russ, his son forever stand for the pride of the corps. As a former marine I bow on one knee for sky’s dedication; semper fi marine, save a spot for me!
Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice so your comrades could complete the mission. Our sincere condolences to your families for their loss.