by Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty
Marine Corps News
August 09, 2004
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BOGOTA, Colombia -- Two U.S. Marines assigned to the Military Group of the American Embassy in Bogota, Colombia recently received Colombia's highest award that can be bestowed upon foreign nationals.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe pinned the Admiral Padilla Medal for Distinguished Service on Maj. Ivan Monclova and Sgt. Juan Jimenez in a ceremony attended by numerous dignitaries. They received the awards while Colombia's attorney general, former minister of defense, and the heads of its Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force stood in observance of the ceremony.
"The medal is given for a high level of cooperation with the (Colombian Naval and Marine forces) and the government of Colombia," Jimenez said. Their issuance also celebrates the high level of progress the Colombian forces have achieved as a result of this cooperation, he added.
Jimenez was born in West Palm Beach, Fla., but moved to Colombia where he grew up and became a Colombian Marine. He served nine years, attaining the rank of Captain and commanding a company before returning to the United States and becoming a U.S. Marine rifleman He has served in 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines' Scout Sniper Platoon.
The awards ceremony coincided with a larger celebration, for the birthday of Colombia's Armada Nacional. The Armada is comprised of Colombia's naval forces, its corps of Marines, and its coast guard.
Monclova and Jimenez are working particularly hard at launching a Mobile Training Group, a team of Colombian Marines that will travel to various riverine units throughout the country. Historically, U.S. Marines from Camp Lejeune have made several annual trips "downrange" to conduct riverine training in Colombia, but the domestic training group is gradually replacing them, Jimenez said. "It's in its infancy, but we are working hard to make them self-sufficient," he added.
The two are also working on assisting the Colombian Marine Corps with its reorganization, Jimenez said. With the help of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South, they are helping them with staffing and logistical restructuring in addition to enhancing their operational and training capabilities. The end result will be a more effective force with a stronger individual identity, Jimenez said. It will build upon the momentum they've established in their fight against narco-terrorists.
Col. Bruce Gandy, Chief of Staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces South was among many who took note of the performance of the two Marines and how much they've accomplished. "This is an example of two Marines contributing to the Global War on Terror in a little known but very important region," he said.
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