The characters and the plots belong to their respective owners. I therefore own nothing, minus the names of my OCs. However, I do own the OC of Ava Grady as well as the DEFCON Year Universe books, which you can find on Amazon through typing "Defcon Year Ryan"
BTW : I sign this fanfic to the brave defenders of Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine, glory to heroes.
AN: Due to this year being 2024, I can tell you only one thing for November 2024: VOTE BLUE, VOTE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT
Three years after the end of World War III, Ava Grady was now a USMC 1st Lieutenant who had been accepted into MARSOC as a platoon leader after a high-stakes training. Her experience in World War III was indeed paramount to the efficiency of her platoon in the conventional forces, who were led by a compentent and talented leader.
But now, she was meeting with the Democrat President of the US Wally Barnes' two most prominent Secretaries, SecDef Lloyd Austin and StateSec Anthony Blinken, both of whom were on a state visit in Ukraine alongside the French Embassador to Ukraine, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the new Ukrainian President Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commandant of the USMC Eric Smith and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as well as Wally Barnes' VP, Kamala Harris.
And the reason for those officials to be present, alongside Ava's new unit was that she was going to be awarded the highest awards an American Marine could get for outstanding service and exceptional bravery in the call to duty and beyond. Ava had indeed been rewarded the Commendation Medal with V device and four silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star with three silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with V device and four silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with one silver and two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Marine Good Conduct Medal, the French Military's Croix de Guerre TOE, the French Military Medal, the Polish Army Medal, the Polish Cross of Valour, the Polish Cross of Merit with Swords, the British Victoria Cross, the British Distinguished Service Cross, the British Military Cross, the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal, the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross and the French Medal of National Defense. All of which had been given to her due to eyewitness accounts of Ava saving the lives of soldiers from different countries involved on the Allied side of World War III, including Americans.
As Ava saluted the officials, General Eric Smith presented a citation with the US Medal of Honor, the highest US Military reward. Ava had indeed displayed a great amount of bravery during the entirety of World War III as well as a great amount of leadership skills and discipline. Bravery, skills and discipline she instilled in her subordinates, be they male or female. General Smith then motioned Ava to face the cameras. After Ava turned around, General Smith began his speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce you to 1st Lieutenant Ava from MARSOC. During World War III, she displayed a high level of bravery, going as far as pushing friendly soldiers aside before silencing an enemy bunker. Furthermore, she displayed leadership abilities by always leading by example and taking on the enemy and taking the initiative when given the opportunity, thus enabling her subordinates to have someone to look up to. Ava therefore not only represents the core values of the US Marine Corps, but also the entire American values of freedom, equality, diversity, justice and integrity. It had also been brought to my attention that 1st Lieutenant Ava had displayed an extreme level of bravery during the Battle of Asmara. Therefore, I am honored to award her the US Medal of Honor." he said.
After his speech, General Smith put the Medal of Honor onto Ava's chest from behind before letting go as the medal hung to Ava's backneck by the ribbon. As Ava turned sideways to the distinguished officials, Ava and General Smith saluted each other before SecDef Lloyd Austin and StateSec Anthony Blinken, both of whom were on a state visit in Ukraine alongside the French Embassador to Ukraine, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the new Ukrainian President Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Kamala Harris put their hand on their heart as a gesture of respect for Ava.
The other Marine Raiders in the room also saluted Ava, since the regulation stated to always salute a Medal of Honor recipient, regardless of their rank.