Corporal Michael S. Ussery, a Rochelle, Ga., native

Corporal Michael S. Ussery, a Rochelle, Ga., native and a rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, is currently on his second combat tour to Afghanistan. The team leader with 3rd Platoon is in charge of three other Marines in his squad and leads them during combat operations within the province. Ussery and his Marines are working with members of the Afghan National Security Forces in Operation Double Check, an ongoing operation to promote legitimate governance and security within the Musa Qal’eh district. This operation further spreads the influence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to untouched areas and provides an opportunity for Afghan forces to take on a greater role in security efforts.