Okinawa, Japan — The wind was crisp as Marines stood in formation, with family and friends coming together in the winter morning. As the medal, the countenance of George Washington set in violet, was pinned over Faffler’s heart, his wife and children by his side, it was hard to not shed a tear as emotions were heightened during this special moment. - U.S. Marines across III Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a group photo after a Purple Heart ceremony on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 6, 2025. Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Faffler, a visual information officer with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, received two Purple Hearts, both for wounds sustained during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, May and October of 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Weston Brown)
Royal Thai Marine Corps, U.S. Marines begin road rehabilitation project in Nakhon Ratchasima province - U.S. Marines assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, along with the Royal Thai Marine Corps, Construction Company of Combat Engineers pose for a photo road during Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 2025 at Ban Chan Khrem, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, Feb. 20, 2025. The commitment of the U.S. to the region is demonstrated through the exercise, which builds interoperability, fosters multilateral cooperative arrangements, and shared common interests, all while reinforcing the dedication to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eve K. Moore, I Corps Public Affairs)