2023 DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

GySgt Frances L. Leon

Gunnery Sergeant Leon was born on 1 June, 1990 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On 23 August, 2010 she enlisted into the Marine Corps. She attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina, followed by Marine Combat Training, and Supply Warehouse School in Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where she served as the class leader and received the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 3051 Supply Warehousemen.

In March of 2011, Private First Class Leon reported to I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Marine Headquarters Group Camp Pendleton, California where she served as a Warehouse Clerk. In January of 2012, Lance Corporal Leon deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Personal Effects Clerk and Linguist Manager for the Regional Command Southwest.

In August of 2014, Sergeant Leon was laterally moved into the MOS of 0431 Embarkation Specialist. She received orders to Combat Logistics Battalion 13, serving as Embarkations Chief.

 In February of 2016, Staff Sergeant Leon deployed aboard the USS Boxer with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. She later reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 in October of 2016 serving as the Logistics Chief.

 In June of 2017, Staff Sergeant Leon received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 24 where she served as the Detachment Logistics Chief. In May of 2018, Staff Sergeant Leon received orders to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, where she served as the Logistics Chief.

In February of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Leon deployed to South Korea, where she served as the Logistics Chief for three squadrons, which included operations in Okinawa, Japan, Subic Bay, Philippines, and Guam. In December of 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Leon received orders to First Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California where she served as the Battalion Logistics Chief.

 In June of 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Leon checked in to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 where she currently serves as the Squadron Logistics Chief, the assistant Substance Abuse Control Officer, and the Equal Opportunity Representative. In 2022 Gunnery Sergeant Leon deployed to Europe in support of NATO contingency operations, which included Powidz, Poland, Fetesti, Romania, and Aviano, Italy.