Local Marine receives medals for valor

A Camp Pendleton Marine and Fallbrook resident was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with a Combat V for valor for his efforts overseas during battle.

Master Sergeant David A. Jarvis, a 34-year-old Marine, was honored with the awards for multiple heroic acts in war.

“He’s so humble, hardworking, quiet, and very well-mannered,” said CWO3 Tina Jarvis, David’s wife. “He’s all about his Marines, and takes care of those surrounding him. He is all around a model Marine.”

Jarvis currently serves as the Battalion Training Chief for 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. The Fallbrook resident was born in Bremerton, Wash., and began basic training in 1995.

On Oct. 25, 2010, Jarvis was supporting Operation Eastern Endeavor in the upper Sangin River Valley of Afghanistan. According to the citation for Jarvis’ award, shortly after an element of Jarvis’ platoon was attacked with an improvised explosive device, Jarvis’ position came under “heavy and accurate volleys of machine gun and RPG fire.”

Jarvis immediately and knowingly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved back and forth across the defensive perimeter to reposition Marines and direct fire.

“[Jarvis] bravely led his Marines in holding their position during the hour-long firefight. Realizing the large enemy force and high volume of fire was jeopardizing the medical evacuation, he again exposed himself to withering enemy fire as he crossed open terrain to coordinate fires, and personally fire a light anti-armor weapon rocket from an exposed position,” according to the citation. This allowed for a medical helicopter to come to the rescue of injured Marines.

“Oct. 25 started like every other day,” said Jarvis. “It was natural to react with the training we have. It was second nature. I checked my buddies to my left and right, just as they did for me. It’s not just my day; this day is for everyone, especially those in the reconnaissance community. We try to stay out of the spotlight, but I’m not the only one being recognized. Nearly every Marine in my platoon has been recognized.”

Jarvis has participated in over 70 combat patrols, 40 direct engagements with Taliban forces and five “complex ambushes” that ended with 52 enemies killed and more wounded. On July 30, 2010, Jarvis was in the middle of combat near southeast Marjah when his element was caught in a “complex ambush.”

During the course of the fight, Jarvis exposed himself multiple times to enemy fire, and “his bold and decisive actions led the patrol to maneuver out of multiple kill zones.”

On Aug. 16, 2010, Jarvis’ patrol was once again caught in an ambush by a platoon-sized enemy force. After an hour of heavy fighting and enemy forces putting up strong resistance, the citation said “he decisively moved into the open to fire a light anti-armor weapon rocket. As the enemy attempted to reinforce, he continued to identify targets and direct fires until close air support assets were able to arrive on scene. His heroic actions during the fight undoubtedly saved the lives of his Marines.”

Lt. Col. Brian L. Gilman, the commanding officer for the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, said that Jarvis is one of the fittest and most competent Marines he has seen.

“At 34, Jarvis is one of the most physically fit Marines,” said Gilman. “He outperforms Marines at least a decade younger than him. He has taken every course and graduated from every school that a reconnaissance man can take. The Marines are great, but they needed a strong leader. Jarvis will tell you this day is about everyone, but he led the men with great success, and brought them all back, which is why we are greatly indebted to him.”

“Day in, day out, Jarvis put himself on the line,” said Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, who pinned Jarvis with the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor in combat. “Composure, calmness, courage. You never know in battle who’s going to have it, who’s going to step up. He has my admiration and my respect.”

“It was surprising to me to read what he did to earn the medals for actions,” said Tina, who met her husband on Camp Pendleton while on active duty approximately 10 years ago. “It’s surreal that this is my husband; it was like reading a book. He’s all Marine; everything he does, he does 110 percent. He goes above and beyond.”

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