Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Sean B. Filson, Colonel Filson distinguished himself by exceptionally superior service as Chief, United States Southern Command, Washington Office, Washington, D.C. from July 2017 – June 2020. During this period, as the command’s senior representative in the National Capitol Region, Colonel Filson superbly advocated for the command to the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and numerous government organizations across the interagency as well as public/private entities in support of United State s Southern Command objectives. His commitment to excellence proved to be pivotal in managing senior executive level engagements and particularly sensitive United States government policy issues. Colonel Filson’s dynamic intellectual acumen and superior regional expertise on security issues enabled him to skillfully represent the commander on a weekly basis at many three and four star-level engagements when the senior leadership could not be present. His in-depth and exceptionally keen understanding of government and interagency and non-governmental organizations significantly advanced the commands operations to compete and operate in a complex security environment during the reemergence of great power competition. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Filson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 2020 – January 2025
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Sean B. Filson, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. As Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and G-5, United Stat es Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Space Command, and Senior Military Advisor for the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, from July 2020 to January 2025. During this period, Colonel Filson demonstrated exemplary leadership and delivered striking results securing, operating, and defending the Marine Corps Enterprise Network against multifold state and non-state malicious cyber actors resolved to impose operationally disruptive effects on Fleet Marine Force and supporting establishment organizations that continually enabled all Marine Corps organizations to successfully accomplish critical missions residing in cyberspace, with negligible adversarial effects. As Senior Military Advisor, he expertly provided the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Security invaluable advice in complex civilian military issues, imparting strategic guidance and policy recommendation s to enhance bilateral regional security and alliance mechanisms with the Government of Japan in cyber, information, and space domains. Colonel Filson’s superior performance of duties culminated his 31 years of honorable and dedicated military service. Colonel Filson’s superior leadership, commitment to innovation, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit on hm and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorAction Date:
January 2006 – May 2006
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Major Sean B. Filson, United States Marine Corps, for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations involving conflict with an opposing forces while serving as Operations Officer, First Battalion, Third Marines, Combined Task Force Spartan, Combined Joint Task Force-76 in support of Operation Enduring VI, from January 2006 to May 2006. Upon First Battalion, Third Marines’ assumption of responsibility for the Laghman, Nangharhar, and Konar Provinces of Afghanistan, Major Filson implemented a plan to effectively organize and control a force of over 1,500 Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Afghan National Security Forces over a battle space of 12,600 kilometers. Major Filson developed clear and effective plans tailored to the political and tactical aspects of counterinsurgency operations, intuitively grasping the full spectrum of operations. Through four months of combat operations, Major Filson aggressively implemented a series of near-continuous operations that had significant and measurable effect on enemy forces in Area of Operation s Lava. He aggressively extended the Government of Afghanistan’s influence by implementing the Commander’s intent for partnership and training with the Afghan National Army and by developing and implementing operations that engages insurgents within their traditional safe-havens. As the operation s Officer for the main effort during Operations MOUNTAIN LION, the Combined Joint Task Force-76 attack on Taliban and Al Qaeda sanctuaries in the Korengal Valley, Major Filson developed and implemented a plan that resulted in the defeat of insurgent elements in the Korengal Valley. Major Filson’s zealous initiative, determination, and exceptional devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Marine Corps.