WASHINGTON -- A native of Festus, Mo., was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington Aug. 27.
Sgt. Bobby Kling, 26, enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2005 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
He has served as a platoon sergeant for Company A, second platoon at Marine Barracks Washington since July 2009. The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is awarded to Marines and Sailors for outstanding service or achievement.
“It’s a great honor to earn a (commendation medal),” said the 2005 Crystal City High School graduate. “I couldn’t have earned this award without the Marines that I lead on a daily basis. This award is as much theirs as it is mine.”
While stationed at the Barracks, Kling has performed the duties of a Marine of a higher rank. He oversaw the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program for Co. A and served as the noncommissioned officer-in-charge for numerous firing parties during funerals in Arlington National Cemetery.
Kling has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.
His other awards include a Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Kling is looking forward to the next year of his current enlistment. He said he is going to leave the Marine Corps at that time and return home to attend college at St. Louis University.
Barracks Marines support ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s capitol. Each year, the Marines support more than 30 parades and hundreds of ceremonies and functions to include funerals and sporting events across the country and globe.