Bossie receives Bronze Star

Major Jonathan A. Bossie, son of Gary and Alison Bossie of New Limerick, was awarded a Bronze Star with V device in a ceremony Jan. 22.
    Bossie, currently assigned as the officer in charge of training and an advisor with Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, received the award for actions taken in Afghanistan in 2009.
Colonel Michael E. Langley, officer in charge of SOTG, III MEF Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, presented Bossie with the medal on behalf of the President of the United States.
“Though they were small in number, Bossie and his Marines were committed to helping the local people, defending against the insurgency and getting the job done,” Langley said.
Bossie, a native of Houlton, served in Afghanistan from December 2008 until September 2009.
“What really matters is that my Marines felt taken care of, and that we did everything we set out to do,” Bossie said. “I was fortunate enough to have a talented team on my side, and to me, they are the heroes.”
According to the citation, Bossie “…demonstrated unselfish valor during numerous instances of direct contact with the enemy.”  Bossie would normally dismount his vehicle during engagements with the enemy, exposing himself to direct fire, in order to advise the Afghan commanders on how to counterattack against the enemy, said Col. Langley.
While in Afghanistan, Maj. Bossie was assigned to Embedded Training Team 5-4, Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army.