McHenry marine receives medal for heroism

Two years after saving the lives of wounded troops in Iraq, a suburban marine on Sunday was decorated for those heroic actions.

Moments after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a special ceremony at Wauconda High School, Marine Reserve Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ottesen said he didn't set out to win a medal in battle. He said he was simply trying to protect his fellow troops.

"You have a job to do, and that's what you do," said Ottesen, of McHenry.

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean bestowed the medal upon the 43-year-old Ottesen as his family, friends and area veterans watched proudly.

The ceremony coincided with the opening of the high school's Freedom Shrine, a hallway gallery featuring reproductions of historical documents that helped shape the nation.

Ottesen enlisted in the marines on his 17th birthday. He joined the reserves after being discharged and has served two tours in Iraq.

According to the official citation that accompanied his medal, Ottesen -- then a staff sergeant -- was leading amphibious assault vehicles in April 2005 when they were ambushed by the enemy. Although his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, Ottesen provided cover for exposed infantry troops until they were clear.

Then, in a separate clash that July, Ottesen maneuvered his troops under heavy enemy fire to support a platoon and evacuate casualties, the citation reads.

Although his platoon commander recommended him for the commendation in 2005, Ottesen never received the medal -- one of the U.S. military's highest -- because the paperwork got lost at the Pentagon. Bean's staff tracked down the documents and secured the medal.

Ottesen called the commendation an honor but said there's something he'd rather have.

"I would rather have my marines that I lost," he said somberly.

Ottesen now serves as an outreach worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Still a reservist, he said he would go to Iraq a third time if called.

In brief remarks to the crowd Sunday, he urged people not to give up on the troops in Iraq.

"We are winning this battle, no matter what you hear in the newspapers or on the news," he said.

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

• Awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of sufficient nature to warrant a higher decoration, such as a Bronze Star.

• Established as the Navy Commendation Ribbon in 1944. Given current name in 1994.

• Designed and sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

• It consists of a bronze hexagon that contains an eagle bearing a shield. The eagle holds three arrows in its talons.

• The shape was designed to distinguish the medal from all other decorations.

• The eagle is from the Defense Department seal, and the eagle's shield is taken from the Great Seal of the United States.

• The medal's ribbon consists of a green field with two white stripes.

Sources: U.S. Navy, www.foxfall.com/fmd-navy-com.htm