CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin D. Baskin, a special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, will be awarded the Silver Star Medal for his heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2013.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the MARSOC headquarters aboard Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 20, at 2:00 p.m.
Baskin, a Lansdale, Pa., native, was serving with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when his team was engaged by enemy combatants. Baskin exposed himself to accurate enemy fire numerous times, running into the kill zone to provide desperately needed aid to wounded Marines.
Although being shot in the back himself, Baskin continued to treat the injured, while refusing to receive medical aid for his own injuries. Under intense enemy fire, while simultaneously directing the evacuation of the wounded Marines, Baskin along with partner forces, continued to lay down suppressive fire until every member of the team had evacuated the kill zone. His actions ultimately saved the lives of four of his team members.
Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, will present the award.
As a Navy Veteran and the father of two Active Duty U. S. Marines (both deployed), I love to hear about the heroic work done by our U. S. Navy Corpsman. We are blessed to have people like Kevin and all the other Corpsman that risk their lives to help the U. S. Marines.