The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Jeffrey Cole, United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action in connection with combat operations against the enemy as a Machine Gunner, Company E, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Afghanistan, on 17 August 2010 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While conducting a partnered patrol in the F4 sector of Marjah, Lance Corporal Cole’s squad came under heavy and accurate machinegun and small arms fire from two enemy positions. The initial burst wounded four members of the squad. When another Marine was wounded and could no longer operate the M240B medium machine gun, without orders or regard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Cole took control of the machine gun and began suppressing the enemy positions with effective fire. Though shot in the left arm and despite heavy arterial bleeding, he continued engaging the enemy as a fellow Marine applied a tourniquet and pressure bandage to his arm. Despite his painful wound, he continued to provide suppressive fire until all of his wounded squad mates were moved to a covered position. He was then struck by additional enemy fire in his front small arms protective insert plate but still continued to return accurate fire with his M240B. Only after confirming that all wounded personnel were safely behind cover did he cease his fires and join the remainder of the squad. His actions directly enabled his fellow squad members to maneuver the wounded personnel to safety. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Cole reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.