Frederick E. Pokorney, Jr.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps

On 23 March 2003, then-First Lieutenant Frederick E. Pokorney, Jr. was serving as Artillery Forward Observer, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, during the battle of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, 1stLt Pokorney expertly directed artillery fire to destroy heavily-fortified enemy positions that engaged C Company with accurate direct and indirect fire. 1stLt Pokorney displayed courage under fire during the entire engagement through rapid decision-making and confident actions. 1stLt Pokorney's superb coordination of 3 artillery missions resulted in the destruction of multiple high pay-off targets, to include enemy machine gun positions that were raking Company C's position. Under the heaviest enemy fire of the day, 1stLt Pokorney exposed himself to devastating fire while crossing several hundred meters in order to meet with the Fire Support Team Leader. After updating the Fire Support Team Leader on the status of fire missions and additional enemy targets, a volley of enemy bullets, and enemy rocket-propelled grenades hit behind his position, mortally wounding 1stLt Pokorney. 1stLt Pokorney’s judgment and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Frederick E. Pokorney, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Artillery Forward Observer, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 March 2003. During the battle of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, First Lieutenant Pokorney expertly directed artillery fire to destroy heavily fortified enemy positions that engaged the Company with accurate direct and indirect fire. He continuously displayed courage under fire during the engagement through rapid decision-making and confident actions. First Lieutenant Pokorney's superb coordination of three artillery missions resulted in the destruction of multiple high pay-off targets, to include enemy machine gun positions that were raking his company's position. Under the heaviest enemy fire of the day, First Lieutenant Pokorney exposed himself to devastating fire while crossing several hundred meters in order to meet with the Fire Support Team Leader. After updating the Fire Support Team Leader on the status of fire missions and additional enemy targets, a volley of enemy bullets, and enemy rocket-propelled grenades hit behind his position, mortally wounding First Lieutenant Pokorney. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Pokorney reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

First Lieutenant Frederick E. Pokorney, Jr. is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 60, Site 7861.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10608746/frederick-e_-pokorney