1st Marine Logistics Group

GUNNERY SERGEANT WILLIAM R. DUPLESSIS

Private Duplessis enlisted in the Marine Corps and subsequently reported for recruit training on 26 May 1997 at MCRD, San Diego with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Upon completion, (meritoriously promoted) Private First Class Duplessis received orders to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for Military Occupational Specialty training as a 1316/ basic metal worker.  PFC Duplessis was then directed to report to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st MARDIV, MCB Camp Pendleton and on 5 April 1998 was assigned to Alpha Company, to serve as one of the Maintenance Platoons welders. In December, 1998 Lance Corporal Duplessis deployed with BLT 2/1 on a WESTPAC with the 13th MEU SOC.  In May 1999 LCpl Duplessis was promoted to Corporal, reenlisted and received orders to the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) for assignment to the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch (AVTB). Assigned as the only welder for the unit, Cpl Duplessis was tasked with supporting several projects directly related to the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle or AAAV, Later known as the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). In May 2001 Cpl Duplessis was promoted to Sergeant. In February 2002 Sgt Duplessis received orders to Recruiter School MCRD, San Diego. After graduating from recruiter school he was assigned to Recruiting Station (RS) Baltimore, Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Bel Air, Maryland for duties as a canvassing recruiter. About half way through his tour on recruiting duty, Sgt Duplessis was reassigned to RSS Towson to continue his duties as a canvassing recruiter. In June 2006 Sgt Duplessis received orders to 1st Maintenance Bn. Reporting to the battalion, Sgt Duplessis was assigned to Engineer Maintenance Companys’ Heavy Equipment Platoon as the Metal shop NCOIC.  While there, he participated in numerous training exercises, which included supporting three Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) courses (in Yuma, AZ) as a site commander. In November, 2007 Sgt Duplessis was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In February 2008 SSgt Duplessis deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq with GSM Company as the metal shop SNCOIC in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return to CONUS SSgt Duplessis was assigned as the EMC Company GySgt. He held this billet for approximately three months until the acting company 1stSgt departed for TBS, leaving SSgt Duplessis to fill both billets. In March 2009, SSgt Duplessis was deployed once again, this time to Afghanistan; in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served as the Metal shop SNCOIC as a member of the Maintenance Platoon for Combat Logistics Company 151. Shortly following the return from that deployment SSgt Duplessis received orders to Okinawa, Japan.  On 28 May 2010 SSgt Duplessis arrived on Okinawa in execution of orders to 3rd Maint Bn. After serving two years with Ordnance Maintenance Company, 3rd Maint Bn, SSgt Duplessis received orders back to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st MARDIV, MCB Camp Pendleton in May of 2012, where he served as the engineer equipment chief and was subsequently assigned as the platoon sergeant for the battalion Maintenance platoon. While serving in that capacity, SSgt Duplessis was selected for promotion to Gunnery Sergeant and was promoted on August 1st 2013. GySgt Duplessis then received orders to Combat Logistics Regiment-15 for duty with Combat Logistics Company 11 where he currently serves as the senior enlisted advisor.

GySgt Duplessis’ personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Silver Star in lieu of sixth award).