The Black Diamonds of the Marine Corps’ First Recon Batallion were hit by two IEDs in the early morning hours of October 25, 2010.

Last year, we had the privilege of producing this short film about the extraordinary men of the United States Marine Corps’ 1st Recon Bn, Bravo Company, 1st Platoon. In 2010, they were sent to Afghanistan to stir up a nest of Taliban that had been inflicting significant damage on Marine infantry units in the Sangin River Valley. The Taliban soon came to fear these warriors because of their bold and decisive action, eventually dubbing them “The Black Diamonds,” and warning other Taliban forces to steer clear of them.

On October 25, 2010, while the platoon was on an early morning patrol, two of the Marines were hit by an IED. The unit was then ambushed and came under heavy machine gun and RPG fire as they worked to evacuate their wounded. The Marines held their ground and struck back in an hour-long firefight as a much larger enemy force massed on the area.

MSgt Dave Jarvis (Ret) recalls: “We’re all going home. You know, whatever it takes, we’re going home.” The platoon and attachments received 25 awards for valor and 14 were awarded purple hearts. And all 23 Marines and sailors came home alive.

As a purpose-led business, we believe it’s part of our job to invest significant resources in giving back. One of the primary ways we do this is through leading marketing and storytelling pro bono for The Bar X Project. The mission of The Bar X Project is to reunite combat-wounded Marines and Corpsmen with their units to promote healing through fly fishing.