MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- -- Col.Richard E. Edgington was awarded the Bronze Star Medal June 5 by Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, for meritorious service while serving as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, Bases and Facilities, II MEF forward, in Fallujah, Iraq.

Edgington, 46, was charged with providing life support sustainment to 26 bases throughout the MN F-W AO, in the south-eastern province of Iraq. Edgington provided the groundwork for Navy Seabees and Marines to work as a cohesive unit, and consolidated U.S. war efforts in the organization and realignment of bases abroad, during his year in Iraq.

According to the citation, Edgington, “conducted site assessments of more than 14 bases in Multi-National Force-West’s Area of Operations, resulting in rapid actions that ensured near and long term augmentation of life support services.”

Edgington is also credited in the successful administration of more than $4 billion in connection with the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program service contract and associated construction, which provided life support services to 44,000 personnel.

Edgington, who closed two bases in efforts to realign war efforts, gave hope to Iraqi citizens.

‘When the bases closed, I had an Iraqi come up to me and express how the base closure meant a lot to the community there.  It was like they realized we weren’t going to stay there forever, and we would eventually leave,” said Maj.  Adam W. Love, II MEF Chief of Staff.

Although the award citation speaks impressively of Edgington’s achievements, Amos emphasized the extraordinary effort required to earn a Bronze Star Medal.

“When you read an award citation, you get and idea of the significance of the award,” said Amos,  “I’ll be honest with you, though, there’s always more behind the citation because we are limited as to the number of words we can put there.  This award is a big deal,” he said. 

Edgington was appreciative of his recognition.

“I’m very humbled by this,” said the Portland, Ore., native, who gave credit to his family and fellow Marines for enabling him to excel in a combat environment.

“I couldn’t have done this without my wife or the Marines,” he said. “The Marine who were deployed and not deployed worked hard to help us accomplish what we did while we were there.”


Edgington’s wife, Deborah, attended the ceremony and also received recognition from the II MEF general for her outstanding support as a military spouse.

The Bronze Star Medal is an individual decoration and is the fourth highest award within the Department of Defense for bravery, heroism and meritorious service.