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Face of Defense: Marine Receives Purple Heart at Building Named for Friend

Nov. 23, 2016 | By Marine Corps Cpl. Nathaniel Cray, III Marine Expeditionary Force
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Camp Hansen’s Secher Hall in Okinawa, Japan, stands as a permanent memorial for Marine Corps Capt. Robert M. Secher, who was killed Oct. 8, 2006, while serving in Hit, Iraq.

Marines from Okinawa, Japan, stand at attention for a Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, October 28, 2016. The Purple Heart was presented to Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Assistant Chief of Staff G-4. The ceremony was held in front of Secher Hall to remind those in attendance to remember the fallen. Sellers is from Belvidere, Illinois.
Marines from Okinawa, Japan, stand at attention for a Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 28, 2016. The Purple Heart was presented to Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s assistant chief of staff for personnel. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
Marines from Okinawa, Japan, stand at attention for a Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, October 28, 2016. The Purple Heart was presented to Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Assistant Chief of Staff G-4. The ceremony was held in front of Secher Hall to remind those in attendance to remember the fallen. Sellers is from Belvidere, Illinois.
Marine Recieves Purple Heart in Front of Building Dedicated to Marine He Served With
Marines from Okinawa, Japan, stand at attention for a Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 28, 2016. The Purple Heart was presented to Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s assistant chief of staff for personnel. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
Download: Full Size (1.74 MB)
Credit: Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
VIRIN: 161028-M-DZ326-898

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s assistant chief of staff for personnel, was a close friend of Secher and on Oct. 28, Sellers received the Purple Heart in front of Secher Hall.

“We held my ceremony here to remember and honor him,” said Sellers, a native of Belvidere, Illinois. “He was an excellent leader," he said. “Whether you had a quick reaction force that needed to go out or a last-minute mission requirement, I always went to him because I knew I could depend on him.”

Secher was shot by a sniper while leading a patrol with Iraqi soldiers. For his actions in Iraq, Secher was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

The two Marines spent the better part of nine months together in Iraq before Secher’s death.

Two Explosions

While deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, Sellers was hit by two improvised explosive device blasts. The blast from the first IED blew Sellers through a wall. Despite sustaining head injuries, Sellers got up and began providing aid to an injured sailor when another IED blast knocked him unconscious.

Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Assistant Chief of Staff G-4, addresses friends and family at his Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, October 28, 2016. The ceremony was held in front of Secher Hall to remind those in attendance to remember the fallen.
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s assistant chief of staff for personnel, addresses friends and family at his Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 28, 2016. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Assistant Chief of Staff G-4, addresses friends and family at his Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, October 28, 2016. The ceremony was held in front of Secher Hall to remind those in attendance to remember the fallen.
Marine Recieves Purple Heart in Front of Building Dedicated to Marine He Served With
Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert C. Sellers, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s assistant chief of staff for personnel, addresses friends and family at his Purple Heart award ceremony in front of Secher Hall on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 28, 2016. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
Download: Full Size (614.4 KB)
Credit: Cpl. Nathaniel Cray
VIRIN: 161028-M-DZ326-900

"During the first and second blasts, I suffered a mild traumatic brain injury," Sellers said. Upon regaining consciousness, he helped coordinate a casualty evacuation for two critically wounded Marines, ultimately saving their lives.

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. John Jansen, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, presented the award to Sellers in front of friends and family. Jansen said he was humbled when he heard Sellers tell the story of the events in Afghanistan, and felt proud to be the Marine to award Sellers his Purple Heart.

Sellers said he felt that receiving the award not only honored him, but also honored all of those service members who also suffered injuries or lost their lives on the battlefield.

“I wanted to remember the other Marines who lost their lives,” said Sellers during a speech in front of Secher Hall. “By holding the ceremony here, they are honored as well."

Face of Defense

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