C002887

Round shaped, silver colored coin, 1-9/16 inches in diameter.

1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

In January 2003, the Battalion was called into action for Operation Enduring Freedom and consequently Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 18 March 2003, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines crossed the Iraqi border from Kuwait on their march toward Baghdad. The Battalion saw significant combat action along the way to and in the streets of the Iraqi capital.

In August 2004, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines deployed to Western Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. There the Battalion conducted security operations in the cities and roadways along the Euphrates river and Syrian boarder to include Husaybah, Karabilah, Sadah, Ubaydi, Al Qa'im, Haditha, Hit and Haqlania.

From February through September 2006, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines deployed to the Al Qaim Region in Western Iraq. During this tour, the Marines of 1/7 enjoyed unprecedented success in battling the counterinsurgency and establishing legitimate civilian authority. The Battalion occupied fifteen Platoon and Company battle positions which controlled over 5,000 square miles in the Western Euphrates River Valley.