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August 20, 2010

Oroville Corpsman Receives Award
Keith V. Pulley, a 2004 graduate of Oroville High School and Marine Corps. Corporal, has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. The award was made for professional achievement while serving as squad leader, 1St Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. Corporal Pulley’s leadership abilities were tested early in his deployment when an “Improved Explosive Device” seriously wounded his squad leader. Taking immediate action, Corporal Pulley took charge of the squad and ensured the squad established hasty defensive positions, prepared for a possible attack, searched for secondary explosive devices and effected the evacuation of the wounded squad leader. Assigned as the new squad leader, he successfully led his squad through five months of combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Pulley’s perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit up him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps.
Signed by Lt. Col. J.T. Conner

A second Achievement MedalDepartment of the Navy
This is to certify that The Secretary of the Navy has awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to Sergeant Keith V. Pulley United State Marine Corps for professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Machine Gun Squad Leader, Weapons Platoon, and 2nd Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Company C. Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from August 2008 to July 2009, While serving as Weapons Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant Pulley skillfully and flawlessly supported company training on three company raids. As Rifle Squad Leader during training in multiple locations and varied terrain, his expertise led to the successful completion of two live fire squat attacks, two platoon attacks, a force-on-force patrolling exercise, live fire room clearing and an urban street live fire range. Sergeant Pulley’s knowledge of visit board search and seizure techniques was invaluable during 1st Platoon’s planning of counter piracy operations in support of combined task force 151. Additionally, during bilateral training with the Royal Jordanian Marine Corps, sergeant Pulley’s efforts directly improved relations between the American and Jordanian Military. Sergeant Pulley’s initiative , perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and The United States Naval Service.

Given this 24th day of August 2009.Signed T. R. Wallace, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps Commanding officer Battalion Landing Team 1/1

Oroville Mercury Register
December 27, 1950
McKibbin Grooms U. S. Thunderjets For Combat Duty
T-Sgt Samuel D. McKibbin, USAF, has arrived in Japan and is working with the new F-84 Thunderjets, according to a letter received here by his parents, Mr. and Mr. L.J. McKibbin of Montgomery Street. He described Japanese soil he saw it from train windows enroute from the seaport to the air base as “fertile in all ways, but poor by our standards.” Sgt. McKibbin, an experienced photographer who won a Bronze Star during World War II for an invention in connection with aerial photography, said he was base bound for the next few weeks until all the Thunderjets were ready for war, but added that he hoped to take some pictures outside the base soon. He told his parents that he wished he could “send you my Japanese houseboy, who makes the beds for a pack of cigarettes. I’ll have to obtain some soap so he can wash my clothes for another pack” he wrote. But, he continued, “I don’t know how they really are thinking back of it all. They are so meek and servile”. Despite the urgency of his work, which continued from early morning until late at night, Sgt. McKibbin noted in his letter that Dec. 7 was his father’s birthday. He recalled a time in Pocatello, Ida., that he and his mother had gone to a jewelry store “when ‘we’ bought you a watch fob for your birthday.” He said he and his men had been issued winter clothing but that at present he was working in a steam heated place and living in dry barracks. Sgt. McKibbin was a member of a squadron during World War II that was given a presidential citation in 1944 for “extraordinary performance of duty in action against the enemy…” He was part of a photo reconnaissance squadron.

Stu’s Notes: Keith’s parents are Brian and Sheri Pulley of Oroville. They, Oroville and the whole United States, oh yea and the Marines can be very proud of young Marine Keith Pulley. His father who works for the Thermalito Water and Sewer District is so very proud of his son. Yes, T-Sgt. Samuel McKibbin’s job was very important as the North Koreans had a hot new plane called the MIG, supplied by the Russian’s. Finally when we got our Saber Jet over there we ended up with a 10-1 kill rate.

Yesterday, August 19
th, we had our Ground Breaking, for the Oroville Veterans Memorial Park For All of Butte County, I hope it went well, as I am writing this on Tuesday, August 17, 2010.