Battle Of Shewan
Swift. Silent. Deadly.
This commemorative timepiece was created to honor the Reconnaissance Marines who fought in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and to preserve the lineage, sacrifice, and quiet professionalism of a community that has always operated in the shadows.
On 8 August 2008, in Farah Province, my platoon was conducting a deliberate clearance of the city of Shewan when we made contact with a numerically superior Taliban force employing rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and sustained machine-gun fire.
Early in the engagement, enemy fires destroyed a vehicle and trapped several Marines in the kill zone.
The platoon maneuvered under fire to suppress the enemy and recover the trapped Marines, coordinating fires and movement despite continuous contact. Once consolidated, we transitioned to a deliberate counterattack against entrenched enemy positions.
After eight hours of sustained combat, the enemy force was destroyed and driven from the battlefield. More than one hundred enemy fighters were killed.
The fight broke Taliban control of Shewan and restored coalition freedom of movement throughout the area. In Shewan, we showed the Taliban that the strongest walls are built of Marines, not concrete.
Shewan was not the end of the Reconnaissance story in Afghanistan.
In the years that followed, Recon Marines continued to fight across Helmand and beyond, operating forward, often under-resourced, and consistently at the point of friction.
It was during this period that Recon Marines earned the nickname “Black Diamonds,” for their ferocious reputation earned in pitched battles in Sangin, Marjah, Nawa, and the surrounding areas.
Custom Bezel
Round out your unique 1 of 1 timepiece, honoring your story on the back with a black custom 08•08•08 bezel...
Presented as option in entirely in black, the watch reflects the clandestine nature of reconnaissance operations.
Nothing here is ornamental. Every element is intentional, carrying meaning earned through decades of combat, adaptation, and service.
The dial centers on the Reconnaissance insignia set within the outline of Afghanistan, representing every Recon Marine who deployed into that conflict.
Above it sits the skull within a spade, a symbol drawn directly from our Marine Reconnaissance heritage in Vietnam.
A poster bearing this image hung on the wall of my office when I was a platoon commander at 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, and again years later when I had the privilege of serving as the company’s commanding officer.
The image traces back to the death cards left behind by Recon Marines deep in enemy territory.
The caseback is offered in three options. The first option carries the reverse face of the command coin I carried while serving as the commanding officer of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company.
The second option bears the logo of the Marine Recon Foundation, reflecting a commitment to the broader Reconnaissance community.
And the Third is to work hand in hand with our designers to craft a caseback graphic which reflects your journey and sacrifice - and respects your commitment to the brotherhood.
Proceeds from this watch support the Foundation’s mission to care for Recon Marines and their families, preserve our history, and ensure that the bond forged in combat endures beyond it.
25% OFF the TOP goes back to the foundation.
This watch is a small way of giving back to a community that has given everything, and of ensuring that the Reconnaissance story is not only remembered, but carried forward.
