Jason Fudge

Series: SSgt Ethan Rocke

1st Place Series: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

1st Place Series: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

Category sponsored by Mike Rhea

1st Place: SSgt. Ethan Rocke, Los Angeles Public Affairs
Rocke’s three-part series, titled “The Untouchables,” focused on Marine Corporal Tim Jeffers from Southern California, who lost both legs, half his skull and one eye when hit by an enemy IED in Iraq in 2006. A dramatic story unfolds as Jeffers survives his medical ordeal and is briefly reunited with his Marine buddies on Okinawa and stateside. Rocke sums up his work as a CC, saying “it is a priviledge to tell the Marine Corps story for a living.”

Winning story is published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Sports Article: Ingersoll, Alejandrez, Guard, Lavine

Category sponsored by Joanne Silva-Sullivan

1st Place: Sgt. G.P. Ingersoll, 1st Marine Logistics Group
This story described a competition in physical drills and live rifle fire between teams of U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea Marines. The ROK unit surprised their American counterparts by taking an early lead but the Americans prevailed with a winning score. “Maintaining and strengthening the alliance is a necessity,” said Marines from the 1st LAR. “In that context the competition succeeded.”

2nd Place: Cpl. Cindy Alejandrez, 1st Marine Logistics Group

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Alesha R. Guard, MCB Hawaii

Honorable Mention: Cpl. Nicole A. Lavine, Twentynine Palms

Winning stories are published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Commentary: Rocke, Lisbon

1st Place Commentary: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

1st Place Commentary: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

Category sponsored by the Florida Chapter

1st Place: SSgt. Ethan Rocke, Los Angeles Public Affairs
Rocke calls his piece “Death of the Marksman” and writes that the “new rifle qualification scoring system elevates mediocre shooters and drastically lowers Corps’ standards.” In his analysis of the system he argues that the aggregate scoring system “has degraded the distinction of what an expert shooter is by Marine standards… lowering standards is something Marines don’t do.”

2nd Place: GySgt. Bill Lisbon, MCAS Yuma

Winning stories are published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Photojournalism: Kleinsmith, Green, O’Quin

1st Place Photojournalism by Sgt. Alex Kleinsmith: Children from Camel Douda sit on the sidelines while watching Marines from 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion take on local Djiboutians during a friendly soccer match.

1st Place Photojournalism by Sgt. Alex Kleinsmith: Children from Camel Douda sit on the sidelines while watching Marines from 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion take on local Djiboutians during a friendly soccer match.

Category sponsored by John “Jawn” Harmon

1st Place: Sgt. Alex Kleinsmith, 1st Marine Logistics Group
Kleinsmith combined his reporting from Djibouti in the Horn of Africa with a series of candid photos depicting life in the volatile region. “Though the prospect of peace and stability is still years away,” wrote Kleinsmith, “the Marines continue to push forward, one bottle of water and one smile at a time.”

2nd Place: Sgt. James P.Green, MCRD San Diego

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Christopher O’Quin

More award-winning images can be seen below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

News Article: Benson, Little, Singsank

1st Place News Article: LCpl. Graham Benson

1st Place News Article: LCpl. Graham Benson

1st Place: LCpl. Graham Benson, MCAS Yuma
Fears of future legislation to restrict gun access triggered a surge of firearm and ammunition sales across the country following the Congressional and presidential elections in November, 2008. Activity at the station was no exception, with the most sought-after weapon being the AR-15 rifle. The rules for firearm possession on-and off-base were covered in detail.

2nd Place: LCpl. Randall Little, Camp Lejeune

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Jeffery Singsank, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Winning stories are published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Sad news for CC Agostino von Hassell

Agostino von Hassell

Agostino von Hassell

All: I was advised last night of the death of Agostino von Hassell’s mother.  I have attached the obituary.  For those of you who do not know Agostino (Omar), he is one of the USMCCCA’s most staunch supporters and benefactors and the driving force behind the re-write of Last to Know, First To Go. A celebration of the lives of his Mother and Brother who died several weeks ago are being held at the New York Athletic Club later today.   I know he would appreciate hearing from his friends. His email address is:   AVonhassel@aol.com.

–Jack Paxton
(The Obituary for his mother is published below)

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By Jason Fudge, ago