First Sgt. William Pinkerton IV, Hawaii 2011.
Contents
Biography
First Sergeant Pinkerton was born in New York 1973. He graduated from St. Francis of DeSales High School in 1992 and enlisted into the Marine Corps in November 1992. He completed recruit training at Parris Island February 1993 and assigned Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of Motor Transport Operator.
After finishing MOS training First Sergeant Pinkerton was an assigned to Truck Company Headquarters Battalion 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton California where he was promoted to Corporal.
In 1995 First Sergeant Pinkerton was reassigned to Truck Company Headquarters Battalion 3rd Marine Division Camp Hansen Okinawa Japan.
In 1997 First Sergeant Pinkerton was reassigned to Marine Wing Service Support Squadron 372 Camp Pendleton California where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1999 First Sergeant Pinkerton was drafted and reassigned to recruiter School Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego California. Upon completion of the school First Sergeant Pinkerton was assigned to Recruiting Station Orange, Recruiting Sub Station Redondo Beach California where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In 2002 after a successful recruiting tour First Sergeant Pinkerton was again assigned to Truck Company Headquarters Battalion 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton California where he participated in Operation Iraq Foredoom I, II, and III.
In the winter of 2005 First Sergeant Pinkerton was assigned to Logistics Operations School Montford Point North Carolina. First Sergeant Pinkerton was an instructor at Advanced Ground Transportation Operations School. In 2006 First Sergeant Pinkerton was the Instructor of the year and was appointed as the SNCOIC of the school house. Shortly after, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In 2008 First Sergeant Pinkerton was assigned to 1st Battalion 12th Marines on Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and reassigned to India Company (Evil I) 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines. While assigned to India Company, First Sergeant Pinkerton participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed to Trek Nawa Afghanistan.
In 2009 First Sergeant Pinkerton was reassigned to Weapons Company 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines. While assigned to Weapons Company, First Sergeant Pinkerton participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed to Garmsir Afghanistan.
In 2010 First Sergeant Pinkerton assigned to Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 12th Marines Hawaii. In 2011 First Sergeant Pinkerton was reassigned to his current billet at Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion 12th Marines.
First Sergeant Pinkerton’s personal awards include the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device V, Navy Commendation medal two gold stars and combat distinguishing device V, Navy Achievement Medal one gold star, Combat Action Ribbon one gold star.
Events
Awards
Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device
For heroic service in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as First Sergeant, Company I, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), from 1 May 2010 to 30 November 2010 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. First Sergeant Pinkerton provided decisive battlefield leadership during five named operations against enemy forces in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. With complete disregard for his own safety during multiple kinetic engagements, he frequently exposed himself to effective enemy fire in order to successfully lead the Marines under his charge. His courageous example rapidly won the trust of Afghan local nationals and security forces alike. On 22 July 2010, while partnered with Afghan Soldiers, First Sergeant Pinkerton led the Company in an immediate response to a downed AH-1W Cobra helicopter. The partnered forces sprinted three kilometers in full combat equipment and secured the site for 24 hours, preventing the enemy from capturing the deceased pilots remains, and provided site security for the downed helicopter. His sage combat leadership was critical to the Company’s success during numerous engagements, and in the successful targeting of eight Improvised Explosive Device emplacements using supporting arms. He led the Companys Marines from the front during 16 Improvised Explosive Device strikes, 19 device finds, 14 cache finds, captured 6 detainees and executed 6 friendly medical evacuations. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, First Sergeant Pinkerton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.