Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaac Rodriguez | Capt. Brian Hamel, commanding officer of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS...... read more read more
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NORFOLK—The crew of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) held a memorial dedication ceremony aboard the ship Sept. 2, to honor Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, who previously served aboard the ship and was killed in action while supporting evacuation operations in Afghanistan in 2021.
Iwo Jima Commanding Officer, Capt. Brian Hamel, dedicated the ship’s gym to Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in honor of her ultimate sacrifice and unwavering commitment in the line of duty.
“Today marks the third anniversary of Sergeant Gee’s passing,” said Hamel. “I am proud to be able to honor her memory and her service by commemorating our gym in her name.”
A native of Roseville, Calif., Gee enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2017 and was later assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24 where she provided maintenance on ground electronics transmission systems. CLB 24 is a subordinate unit of Combat Logistics Regiment (CLR) 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Gee deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard USS Iwo Jima to Afghanistan in support of Operation Allies Refuge. There, she served on a Female Engagement Team (FET), to facilitate evacuation support for Afghan women and children.
Gee died Aug. 26, 2021, along with 12 other service members, as a result of wounds sustained during a suicide bombing attack while supporting evacuation operations in Kabul.
Sergeant Major Glenn Ray served with Gee during their time in CLB 24.
“We are here to talk about a young woman, a hero, who was by many accounts without equal,” said Ray. “This Marine was a task-driven, critical thinker. She led Marines at a level seldom seen of Marines higher in grade and longer in service.”
Ray served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for CLB 24 from April 2020 to May of 2022, and deployed with the battalion on the 24th MEU from February to September 2021.
“Gee always had a smile on her face and was extremely pleasant and comforting towards the people we were evacuating as we got used to the sound of gunfire, flashbangs, and the smell of fear,” said Ray. “My thank you goes to Gee, for showing me what is true love. Thank you for showing me selflessness is the way to peace.”
Homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, amphibious assault ships like USS Iwo Jima project power and maintain presence by serving as the flagship of the Amphibious Readiness Group and Expeditionary Strike Group. Amphibious Readiness Groups provide the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement through landing craft, V-22 Ospreys, and by helicopter.
Since USS Iwo Jima’s commissioning date on June 30, 2001, the ship has supported numerous major US humanitarian-assistance and combat operations.
USS Iwo Jima is named for the Battle of Iwo Jima fought in 1945, in which three divisions of U.S. Marines took control of a tiny island from more than 20,000 enemy defenders. The ship’s motto is “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz’s reflection on the bravery and tenacity of the Marines and Sailors who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima rings ever true today with the selfless service and sacrifice of Sgt. Gee.
Gee was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with the 12 other service members that lost their lives in the line of duty.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2024 20:11 |
| Story ID: | 480581 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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