War On Terror News

SSgt Timothy Bishop, USAF, Bronze Star, Afghanistan, Tennessee

Timothy Bishop

The Story:

Staff Sgt. Bishop planned and controlled 120 close-air support missions in Afghanistan over a 4,600 square kilometer area. During one 48-hour firefight in August 2005, he provided vital support to two Special Forces teams, calling in air strikes on the enemy that ultimately kept those units alive. Operations he supported resulted in the seizure of more than 100,000 enemy munitions. Bishop has trained Special Forces members on close-air support tactics, and developed pre-deployment training programs. For his actions, he received the Bronze Star with Valor. Bishop was named one of the 12 2006 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. While serving in Korea in 2005, he was selected as Pacific Air Forces Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Home State: Tennessee

Awarded: Bronze Star

SGT Robert Betterton, TN Army NG, Bronze Star, Iraq, Cordova, TN

Robert Betterton

The Story:

Shared combat experiences forge bonds between soldiers, whose safety and lives depend on one another. 1st Lt. David Tiedeman and Sgt. Robert Betterton of the Tennessee Army National Guard found themselves depending on each other as they confronted a determined, dangerous enemy in Iraq. “He did save my life, there is no doubt about that,” Betterton told a reporter. Betterton was referring to the actions of his fellow soldier, Tiedeman. If not for the actions of both of these soldiers, the casualties sustained by their U.S. and Iraqi comrades would have been significantly greater.

Securing munitions has been a major task for Coalition forces since the fall of Saddam Hussein. In April 2005, Tiedeman and Betterton’s twelve soldier team, along with two Iraqi companies, was conducting a search for weapons stolen from an Iraqi base. As the two Iraqi companies were searching a bunker complex, Tiedeman's team and one Iraqi gun truck headed further south to search another area. As they moved south of Balad Ruz, an area northeast of Baghdad, insurgents ambushed the Americans and Iraqi gun truck with mortars, machine guns, RPGs, and small arms fire. The enemy fire immediately disabled two trucks carrying Iraqi forces. Tiedeman stepped out of his vehicle and directed return fire against the enemy, with Betterton unleashing fire on the RPG gunners. Due to the force of the enemy’s assault, Tiedeman guided his team out of the line of fire to an area where it could plan a more organized counterattack. Reacting quickly, Tiedeman then directed the counterassault, as well as air cover, which took out the enemy’s heavy weaponry. The team then dismounted to clear the remaining insurgents from the surrounding canals. After enemy fire hit two fellow soldiers, Tiedeman ran across the kill zone to administer aid. While treating his comrades, Tiedeman stopped twice to shoot back at the enemy that was targeting him and the wounded soldiers.

Betterton saw insurgents targeting Tiedeman and the wounded soldiers. The sergeant then placed himself in harm’s way to distract the enemy. After jumping into a ditch to better target the insurgents, Betterton killed the RPG gunner that was taking aim at Tiedeman and two other guardsmen who were providing medical attention to a fallen soldier. Betterton’s intervention allowed for the evacuation of the soldiers. Betterton exposed himself to great danger; he had been shot eight times in the hand, stomach, and leg. Incredibly, Betterton kept firing at a sniper who continued targeting him, even though he was alone and could not move.

Tiedeman observed Betterton’s situation and, once again, ran across the battlefield, braving a barrage of bullets to reach him. Tiedeman had left behind his primary weapon to make himself more mobile. Betterton repeatedly told Tiedeman to leave him, but the lieutenant refused. Tiedeman blocked the enemy’s line of fire with the body of a dead insurgent, and helped neutralize the threat to Betterton with a grenade. Seeing the break in the action he was looking for, Tiedeman carried Betterton to safety.

Tiedeman and Betterton’s heroism resulted in the deaths of 17 insurgents. In addition, their actions led to the elimination of what Tiedeman had described to WREG-TV as “basically an insurgent training camp” that had been wreaking havoc across central Iraq. On Aug. 25, 2007, in a ceremony at Naval Air Station Mid-South, the Tennessee National Guard awarded Tiedeman the Silver Star, while Betterton received the Bronze Star with Valor. Tiedeman is currently employed by the Department of Homeland Security, while Betterton recently volunteered for another tour of duty in Iraq.

Hometown: Cordova, TN

Awarded: Bronze Star

External Links:

• Commercial Appeal
• Denver Post
• WREG-TV
• Associated Press

LtCmdr Benito Baylosis, Navy, BSM, Iraq, Virginia

Benito Baylosis

The Story:

Volunteering for a year-long tour in Iraq in July 2005, Lt. Cmdr. Baylosis led a team of electronic engineers and technicians that analyzed 5,500 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Baylosis personally handled more than 1,000 roadside bomb detonators and provided critical countermeasures. His team studied the electronic circuiting of the enemy’s homemade bombs and how they were rigged to explode when Coalition and Iraqi troops were nearby. Baylosis, a leading expert of IED initiators, also developed and examined more than 136 bomb-maker profiles. For his critical work on IEDs that likely saved numerous Coalition lives, Baylosis was awarded the Bronze Star in August 2006.

Home State: Virginia

COL Juan Ayala, USMC, Legion of Merit, El Paso, TX

Juan Ayala

The Story:

A secure Iraq requires competent local police and national army. In Iraq, U.S. commanders have helped achieve stability in former hotbeds of violence by building up Iraqi Security Forces, thanks to the creative efforts of soldiers and Marines, such as Marine Corps Col. Juan Ayala.

During his third tour in Iraq, from January 2006 to January 2007, Col. Ayala served as the Senior Advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division, based at Camp Habbaniyah. Numerous challenges faced Ayala and his 29-man team, as they operated daily in tandem with the Iraqis. The Division lacked soldiers, trained officers and equipment. The surrounding terrain proved hostile as well. In early 2006, Anbar province remained volatile, and the Iraqi Army often found itself engaged in battles with civilians allied with insurgents.

Over time, under Ayala’s guidance, the Iraqis increased their areas of responsibility and gained credibility among the population. Specifically, Col. Ayala revamped the staff functions of the Division, drawing up missions that fit its skill set. He collaborated with local imams and sheiks to obtain approval for operations. As a result of the built-up trust, the flow of actionable intelligence to the Division increased, as did the number of formerly hostile Sunnis to the Division’s ranks. So many ended up joining the Iraqi forces that they eventually gained a title: the “sons of Al Anbar.”

Ayala helped plan and execute 52 direct action patrols in the area, which yielded 25 captured insurgents. Ayala’s input resulted in the creation of a 24-hour joint Iraqi/Advisor Combat Operations Center, which helped obtain situational awareness on the ground. Other positive developments under Ayala’s tenure included equipment improvements and the purging of hundreds of bogus soldiers from the Division’s ranks. Under Ayala, the implementation of a Unit Tracking Program (UTP) was influential in maintaining accountability among the Iraqi soldiers in the Division.

Ayala often went on patrols, serving as a vehicle and convoy commander. He was hit twice by IEDs, but kept going out on missions to assess the Division’s ability in the field. He led 17 teams and 225 advisors at different levels of command, to improve the capabilities of the Division. Today, two of the Division’s Brigades, the 3rd and the 4th, function without coalition assistance.

For his efforts in building up the 1st Iraqi Army Division, Col. Ayala earned the Legion of Merit with Combat Distinguishing Device.

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Awarded: Legion of Merit

http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/ayalaJ.html

Interview:

• Dec 26, 2007 (8.6MB)
  CBC

CPT Johnathan Bennet, Army, BSM, Iraq, Winston, OR

Johnathan Bennett

The Story:

Capt. Bennett was deployed to Iraq in August 2005 to help train and support Iraqi soldiers. On Sept. 14, 2005, Bennett and his team were traveling on the main supply route from Baghdad when his convoy was ambushed. Bennett quickly directed his team to counter the enemy’s attack as he laid down suppressive fire. Because of his actions, there were no Coalition casualties. During his year-long tour, Bennett managed a 10-man training team and 220 Iraqi soldiers. For his leadership in developing and sustaining the Iraqi Security Forces, Bennett was awarded the Bronze Star on Sept. 14, 2006.

• Hometown: Winston, OR
• Awarded: Bronze Star

PFC James Arellano, Army, BSM, Wyoming

James Arellano

The Story:

Pfc. Arellano was deployed to Iraq in November 2005 with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. While on a foot patrol south of Baghdad on Aug. 17, 2006, Arellano encountered insurgents using IED and small-arms fire. Arellano stepped on an IED; the explosion severely injured the soldier. He died from injuries sustained from the blast.

For his work while in Iraq, Arellano was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge on Aug. 30, 2006.

Home State: Wyoming

Awarded: Bronze Star

http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/arellanoJ.html

1Sgt Paul Archie, USMC, BSM, Dallas, TX & NJ

Paul Archie

The Story:

A year ago, many people fretted that Iraq’s Anbar province was lost. Yet since then progress has come at an almost unthinkable pace, the results of principled and dangerous work by Marines working with locals. As the top enlisted Marine in his company, 1st Sgt. Archie provided consistent leadership in battle from August 2006 through February 2007, a key period of the turnaround in Anbar.

In October of last year, insurgents launched a brazen attack on his company’s base: mortars, rockets, AK-47’s, and a suicide bomber driving a truck. Archie coordinated the defense of the base by setting up fortifications on six rooftops and sending out Humvees to block roads from incoming insurgents. Under constant and heavy fire, he moved throughout the battlefield, making sure his Marines had everything they needed. He also successfully oversaw the evacuation of two wounded Marines from the fight. Archie is largely credited for the defense of the base during the intense hour-long fight.

That was not 1st Sgt. Archie’s only encounter with insurgents: His company saw combat all over Anbar during the seven-month deployment. In all, Archie undertook more than 200 combat missions and guided his company through more than 100 engagements with the enemy. Archie estimated that in many areas, there was a 50 percent chance his unit would face an Improvised Explosive Device attack.

For his leadership, dedication, and courage, 1st Sgt. Archie received the Bronze Star with the Combat Distinguishing Device at Camp Lejeune on July 30, 2007.

Hometown: Dallas, TX, NJ

Awarded: Bronze Star

External Links:

• Marine Corps story
• News and Observer story
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/archieP.html

Interviews:

• Sept 19, 2007 (7.3MB)
  CBC
• Sept 20, 2007 (2.9MB)
  WDAY 970 AM

MAJ Jason Amerine, Army, 5th SFG(A), Bronze Star, Honolulu, HI

Jason Amerine

The Story:

In mid-November 2001, then-Capt. Amerine’s small Special Forces team joined up with Afghan freedom fighters to root out the Taliban and to help stabilize the country. Amerine’s team also helped train, secure, and organize friendly Afghan forces. The treacherous Afghanistan terrain had proven to be a formidable defense against foreign fighters, but with the help of the Afghan freedom fighters, Amerine and his team were able to conduct several successful missions.

On November 16th, Amerine’s team, along with approximately 200 Afghan fighters led by now-president Hamid Karzai, entered the town of Tarin Kot, the place where the Taliban first began their rise to power. Coalition forces had taken the town early in the struggle, but reports indicated that the Taliban were going to try and reestablish control there.

Early the next morning, Taliban vehicles moved steadily toward Tarin Kot, but Amerine and his team were ready for the assault. He and his team, along with the freedom fighters, spread out along a mountaintop, watching the road below where the enemy vehicles would approach at any moment. After a few air strikes from the plateau above, the freedom fighters moved back into Tarin Kot. Without the full force available, the Taliban vehicles were able to regroup and keep moving, forcing Amerine and his soldiers to also fall back to the town.

With the help of the Afghan freedom fighters, they engaged in several hours of close combat with the enemies. In the end, Amerine’s team forced the Taliban to flee from Tarin Kot.

On Dec. 5, an errant bomb landed close to the team, killing three U.S. soldiers and wounding several others, including Amerine. On Jan. 15, 2002, Amerine was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. Because of his heroic actions and courage under fire, Amerine was chosen as one of the faces included in the U.S. Army’s “America’s Army” video game.

Hometown: Honolulu, HI

Awarded: Bronze Star

External Links

• View Maj. Amerine's profile on the U.S. Army's "America's Army"
• Investor's Business Daily Profile on Maj. Amerine
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/amerineJ.html

Interviews:

• Aug 28, 2007 (2.9MB)
  WDAY 970 AM
• Aug 29, 2007 (8.3MB)
  CBC

SPC Jose Alvarez, Silver Star, Army, West Orange, NJ

Jose Alvarez

The Story:

Part of the Soldier’s Creed is never to leave behind a fallen comrade. On the night of March 13, 2006, then-Sgt. Wilzcek, Sgt. Row, then-Pfc. Alvarez, then-Pfc. Pushkin, and the rest of their squad risked life and limb to live up to that promise.

Row, the point man, was leading the soldiers through dark, narrow alleys in the city of Ramadi as the squad headed back to base. Suddenly two men darted into a nearby house – and at that hour, Row saw that as a clear sign of imminent danger. He stopped the team, but within seconds the street exploded with an onslaught of machine-gun and small-arms fire, RPG explosions, and hand grenades. The squad dropped to the ground and directed fire at the enemy’s position.

Alvarez moved to a covered position to reload his weapon, and he noticed one of his comrades had been hit and was lying in the middle of the firefight. Without hesitation, Alvarez rushed into the kill zone to check the soldier’s vital signs – but it was too late. He covered the soldier’s body with his own and continued firing on the enemy. When he ran out of ammunition, Alvarez stood up and started dragging the soldier out of the line of fire. Row, who was pinned down nearby, provided cover fire as Alvarez struggled to move the body. When Wilzcek and Pushkin saw Alvarez’s difficulties, they ran into the open to help. But as the three moved back toward cover, two RPGs exploded 10 meters away, knocking them down and sending a volley of shrapnel into Alvarez’s right knee. The men stood up and continued dragging their comrade to the safety of a nearby courtyard.

After establishing a safe area for the injured, Pushkin and Wilzcek ran back and forth several times from the courtyard into the line of fire to rescue trapped soldiers. Meanwhile, the RPG explosions had also injured Row’s elbow with shrapnel. Even so, he continued firing on the enemy position to help the others reach safety. Once everyone was clear, Row, who was alone in the middle of the street, called for help. As Row remembered later, “I was trapped in the street, and [Pushkin and Wilzcek] pulled me out of there.”

The squad was now in the courtyard and medical assistance was being administered – but their work was not done: enemy fire continued to light up the area. When the squad started planning the next phase, Alvarez refused to be moved with the other injured soldiers, staying to help in the fight.

The insurgents, seeing the evacuation in progress, focused their fire on the rescuers. Wilzcek, already on the roof, began firing back. After clearing the rooms below, Pushkin and his team hurried up to the roof to help Wilzcek. Row grabbed a Bunker Defeat Munition – a shoulder-launched explosive for use against fortified positions – but his injured elbow prevented him from using it. He ran up to the roof, handed the weapon to Pushkin, and helped guide Pushkin toward the targets. With Row and Wilzcek providing cover fire, Pushkin took aim and fired – destroying the enemy’s position and killing a number of insurgents. With that, the squad was able to leave the area safely.

On Feb. 15, 2007, Wilzcek, Alvarez, and Pushkin were awarded the Silver Star for their bravery and actions; Row was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor.

Hometown: West Orange, NJ

Awarded: Silver Star

External Links:

• Army story.
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/alvarezJ.html

SSG Carlo Alcazar, USAR, BSM, Olongapo, Philippines

Carlo A. Alcazar

Sgt. 1st Class Drew C. Kimmey, Capt. Stephen P. Ward and Staff Sgt. Carlo A. Alcazar, members of Civil Affairs Team 745, were recently recognized for their performance during an Afghanistan mission last November. The three soldiers were recognized for their efforts in rescuing a Special Forces team leader, who was also the ground forces commander that day.

CA Team 745 was stationed at Firebase Cobra in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, with special operations detachments from the 3rd Special Forces Group, members of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. On Nov. 2, 2007, the teams and their Afghan counterparts left the firebase to visit the village of Sarsina to conduct medical capabilities mission as well as a humanitarian aid drop. Once they arrived at the village, they discovered it had been evacuated and that Taliban fighters were entrenched into several fighting positions in an attempt to ambush forces in the area.

Alcazar reported only three families came in for medical treatment. The families told the soldiers the Taliban made the other people leave the village, but that having nowhere to go. they stayed. “What was alarming,” Ward said later, “was the buildings had locks and barricaded doors, which was a clear indication that the village wasn’t abandoned, but had been turned into a defendable position.”

All three quickly figured it was only a matter of time before the firefight would begin.

The teams were quickly engaged by 300 Taliban fighters. According to Army documents, after an hour of fighting, two vehicles were pulled to the rear of the fight after being disabled. This left the ground forces commander to the front of the coalition lines and in jeopardy of being overrun. At this point, Ward, the team leader for 745, radioed to the ground forces commander, who was pinned down in a vulnerable building, that his was on its way. Ward later said he and Alcazar went because they were the closest truck and the others were busy providing cover. Unfortunately, the team’s vehicle crashed into an enemy fighting position and became immobile, knocking Ward and Alcazar momentarily unconscious.

After they regained consciousness, Alcazar took to reloading ammunition belts, enabling Kimmey, the gunner, to continue to engage enemy forces. Ward exited the vehicle and directed his team to dismount and move to cover. Kimmey remained in the turret, providing cover for the team and allowing them to reach the ground forces commander. He stayed even though he knew the enemy was setting up mortar positions to destroy the truck he was firing from.

Kimmey was able to keep the Taliban from overrunning the soldiers with the .50-caliber gun. In the process, he was drawing a majority of the enemy fire. Ward reported the enemy was about 50 to 100 meters away at this point.

Team 745 moved to the ground commander’s position and helped in the recovery of the commander and the casualties. All of this was done, while under “continual, accurate and effective” enemy fire.
Since the team’s 745’s vehicle was immobile, it was stripped of all sensitive equipment, and its gun was dismantled to prevent the enemy from gaining off of the team’s loss. Once team 745 sterilized their truck, they had no choice but to run beside the Special Forces vehicle, using it as cover, until they reached safety, because there was no room for them on the truck. All three of them ran alongside the truck until they reached a checkpoint and mounted up into another vehicle for the ride back to firebase Cobra.

During the civil affairs award ceremony honoring all three for their heroic acts, Maj. Gen. John F. Mulholland, said, “The words can’t do justice, nor can the medal on your chest convey what they went up against.”

Hometown: Olongapo, Philippines

Awarded: Bronze Star

• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/alcazarC.html

SSgt Edward Albietz, BSM, USAF, Pinellas Park, FL

Edward Albietz

The Story:

Staff Sgt. Albietz’s job often sounds more like the script from an episode of 24 than the everyday occurrence that it is: Rush into enemy territory, oftentimes under fire, locate bombs, and defuse them before they can go off and harm troops or civilians.

Albietz was the leader of an explosives team at Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq, and was tasked with locating and disarming or destroying homemade bombs throughout a 42,000-square-kilometer area. As a result, Albietz was often caught in dangerous situations, with insurgent attacks always looming. In total, he was involved in more than 110 combat missions.

In one such mission, Albietz and his team were called in to disarm a bomb that was blocking a logistical convoy trying to pass through the area. As the enemy fired from multiple locations, Albietz’s team successfully disabled the bomb. In a different mission, his team was sent to the city of Sulayman Bak to look for four pressure-switch-activated bombs that were hidden within a six-block area. Insurgents were trying to blow up Iraqi security and government buildings, but Albietz and his team of experts located each explosive and defused them before any harm could be done.

During his time in Iraq, Albietz contributed to the recovery and destruction of more than 40,000 explosives, most of which were roadside bombs of the type that have inflicted numerous casualties on Coalition forces.

For his work and leadership, Albietz received the Bronze Star on March 2, 2007.

• Hometown: Pinellas Park, FL
• Awarded: Bronze Star

• External Links
  • Pinellas Park Beacon
  • http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/albietzE.html
• Interviews:
  • Aug 08, 2007 (2.8MB)
    WDAY 970 AM

LCpl Christopher Adlesperger, Navy Cross, USMC, Albuquerque, NM

Christopher Adlesperger

The Story:

When then-Pfc. Adlesperger and his squad approached a house on Nov. 10, 2004, in the treacherous city of Fallujah, they entered into one of the most difficult and dangerous battlefield situations: they faced an entrenched enemy in an urban setting – with an entrenched machine gun.

As they entered the house, a volley of insurgent fire and grenades rained down upon them, immediately killing Adlesperger’s point man and injuring two others. Without pause, Adlesperger took control and moved out front, despite receiving minor wounds. As Adlesperger began firing back from the point position, he became the main target of enemy fire – but, with most of his squad pinned down by insurgent fire, he had no choice but to push forward on his own.

Adlesperger single-handedly cleared the stairs to the rooftop, which allowed the unit to move injured Marines upstairs to receive medical attention. And as U.S. forces gathered for a major assault on the building, Adlesperger, still inside, began moving from one spot to another, eliminating enemies in close quarters or forcing them to move out of entrenched positions to areas where U.S. forces were waiting.

Finally, an assault vehicle broke through a wall on the main floor. Adlesperger rejoined his platoon and demanded to take point for the final attack on the entrenched machine gun. He entered the courtyard first, and eliminated the final enemy at close range. By the end of the battle, Adlesperger was credited with having killed at least 11 insurgents.

One month later, Adlesperger was killed while clearing other houses in Fallujah. For his actions on Nov. 10, 2004, Adlesperger will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross on April 13, 2007.

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Awarded: Navy Cross

External Links

• Marine Corps Times story
• Albuquerque Tribune
• North County Times
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/adlespergerC.html

SGT Jared Adams, USMC, Silver Star, Wasilla, Alaska

Jarred Adams

The Story:

Then-Cpl. Adams and his squad were traveling toward Husaybah, Iraq, on Jan. 6, 2005, to provide cover for a Marine reconnaissance unit that was scouting the area. As the convoy was traveling toward a roadway in the city of Husaybah dubbed the “intersection of death,” insurgents attacked, using RPGs and machine guns.

Adams’ Humvee crashed, stranding its occupants in the line of fire. Adams immediately jumped out of the vehicle and took up a safer location to help the rest of the squad return fire as other Marines worked to dislodge the Humvee.

Once the vehicle was freed, Adams and his squad began searching the area for other broken-down Humvees and injured comrades as insurgents continued their attack. They spotted a disabled Humvee and went over to help.

Suddenly, a RPG struck Adams’ vehicle, killing one Marine and injuring others. Adams was also hit – his left arm and both hands had shrapnel wounds, his right arm was broken, and he had a sprained ankle. But Adams didn’t have time to think about his injuries or the pain; he had to quickly scramble out of the burning vehicle and assess the situation.

After leading his squad to a safer location, Adams realized he was missing a Marine. Adams took off running through the line of fire, back toward the burning vehicle. He located the missing Marine and realized he had died in the attack. Grabbing his body, he ran back through the hail of enemy gunfire with the recovered Marine’s body.

Adams refused medical attention for his injuries until he and all of his Marines had arrived safely back at headquarters. For his bravery, Adams was awarded the Silver Star on April 17, 2006.

Hometown: Wasilla, AK  (Yep, the same town of 3,000 as Sarah Palin)

Awarded: Silver Star

External Links

• Marine Corps story
• GlobalSecurity.org
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/adamsJ.html

1LT Elliot Ackerman, USMC, Silver Star, Fallujah, Washington DC

Elliot Ackerman

The Story:

Insurgents had a relatively free run of Fallujah the six months preceding November 2004. With little or no Coalition presence in the city, they had turned the urban landscape into a warren - like maze of fortified positions, booby traps, and sniper positions. The terrain could not have been more demanding for the Marines called in to clear the city. First, however, they had to establish a foothold, a task that fell in part to then-2nd Lt. Ackerman and his platoon. On November 10th, he and his men entered the city in what became a six-day struggle to open operational lines.

Insurgents attacked from numerous directions as Ackerman’s Marines pushed into the city. Twice in the early moments of the shooting, Ackerman braved enemy fire to pull injured Marines to safety - and then organized their evacuation. But in the midst of the battle, the vehicle sent to recover the injured could not find their position. Ackerman charged from his cover into the open, dodged what his citation calls a “gauntlet of deadly enemy fire,” and directed the vehicle to the Marines.

Later, as Ackerman and his team were clearing a building, he noticed that his Marines were exposed on a rooftop. After ordering them down, he took their place and began marking targets for tanks as insurgents fired at him from all directions. Despite suffering shrapnel wounds, Ackerman continued to direct the attack, and coordinated four medical evacuations. “There is only one alternative,” Lt. Ackerman said later. “It is to do it or not do it.” For his leadership and actions, Ackerman was awarded the Silver Star on Jan. 12, 2007.

Hometown: Washington D.C.

Awarded: Silver Star

External Links

• Marine Corps story
• http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/ackermanE.html

SGT Gregory Ruske, Army Reserve, Silver Star ,Colorado Springs, CO

Army Reservist to Receive Silver Star for Heroism in Afghanistan By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 – Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske is quick to call himself an ordinary soldier, but later this month the Army Reserve will single him out for extraordinary heroism in Afghanistan that earned him the Silver Star medal. Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske will become the fourth Army Reservist to receive the Silver Star for heroism demonstrated after he and his fellow soldiers were ambushed in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province April 21, 2008. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 28-year-old Colorado Springs, Colo., native will become the fourth Army reservist to receive the prestigious award for heroism in the war on terror. Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, will present Ruske the Silver Star during a ceremony in Orlando, Fla. Ruske visited Washington yesterday to meet with Stultz and other Army Reserve officials and to attend the Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting taking place here. He said he doesn’t see the actions he took when his platoon was attacked by a much larger Taliban force as anything exceptional. “I don’t consider myself a hero,” he said. “I was just an ordinary guy put in an extraordinary situation. I reacted based on my upbringing, training and compassion, and thankfully, it worked out in the end.” Ruske was assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 101, operating in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, when the incident that led to his Silver Star award took place April 21. He and his fellow soldiers from 3rd Platoon, A Company, Task Force Gladiator, were on a patrol in a remote area not accessible by vehicle when Taliban operatives attacked them with heavy grenade, machine-gun and rifle fire. “There was no way our gun truck support could get to us, so we were kind of out here by ourselves when all Hades broke loose,” he said. Trapped with his unit in an exposed position, Ruske returned fire so most of the platoon could move to protective cover. Ruske then moved to a rooftop and continued laying fire even after taking a bullet to the hip. At that point, Ruske realized that two Afghan National Police officers were still pinned down in the open, taking fire from their Taliban attackers. One ran for cover, but the other officer -- one Ruske had worked with at vehicle checkpoints and chatted with through an interpreter – had been shot and was trying to crawl to safety through a hail of bullets. “Seeing that dirt kick up no more than six inches from his head, I said, ‘Man, this is jacked up,’” Ruske recalled thinking. “They are still shooting at this guy. He is still bleeding and shot. And I said, ‘We have to go get him.’” Ruske said he didn’t take time to think about his own safety, but simply reacted to the training the Army had used to prepare him for combat. Ruske credited his mentor during his three years of active duty, Sgt. 1st Class Glen Boucher, with instilling the discipline and skills that he drew on while under fire. “He was fair, but if you stepped across that line, he would check you, and that was good,” Ruske said of his former squad leader, then a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle commander. “He could joke with you and mess around with you, but when it came down to work, it was time to work.” A stickler for soldiering skills, Boucher taught Ruske tactics he said enabled him to assist the fallen Afghan police officer. “He’s the one who taught me all the ins and outs of dismounted and mounted techniques, and actually it was the ‘Z’ pattern he taught me that I had my [squad automatic weapon] gunner do to suppress [enemy fire] and buy us a little time when they were shooting at us,” Ruske said. Ruske ordered his SAW gunner, Spc. Walter Reed, to spray the enemy in a Z-shaped pattern, expending a whole box of 200 rounds to give Ruske and his buddy, Spc. Eric Seagraves, time to run out to retrieve the officer. The two dodged bullets as they grabbed the Afghan police officer’s arms and dragged him toward a wall that provided protective covering. Only when Ruske and Seagraves went to lift the man behind the wall did they realize that Ruske’s leg had been shattered. Later that day, after Ruske was taken to Bagram Air Base to receive treatment for his gunshot wound, he checked on the Afghan officer and was relieved to see that he had survived and would keep both legs. Almost six months later, Ruske said he finds it amazing that he will receive a Silver Star for his actions. “I still don’t really believe it,” he said. Ruske deflected attention from himself, emphasizing that he acted as part of a team. “I had help the whole time. It’s not like it was just me,” he said. “None of it would have been possible without Reed [and] with the SAW and Seagraves helping me with the guy. It was the one plan that turned out all right.” Now back at his civilian job as a juvenile corrections officer in Denver, Ruske is awaiting his reassignment to a new Army Reserve unit because his former unit was deactivated. Once he gets his new assignment, he said, he hopes to be like the combat veterans within the Army Reserve who helped him get ready to deploy by sharing what they had learned about roadside bombs, search techniques and other combat techniques. “I picked their brains, and they passed their experience and lessons learned to me,” Ruske said. “Now that I’m back, it’s my turn to pass on my knowledge and experience to some of the newer guys, just like the other guys did for me.”

Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske, center, and an interpreter try to calm Afghan National Police officers he helped save after they were wounded in combat in the Afghanya Valley of Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, April 21, 2008. Ruske, the interpreter and the officers were on patrol as part of Combined Joint Task Force 101 when they came under insurgent attack. Ruske will receive the Silver Star for his actions. U.S. Army photo   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

SFC Michael Gainey, Army, Bronze Star, Albemarle NC

Michael C. Gainey

Without Staff Sergeant Michael Gainey of the United States Army in the gunner’s turret, October 22, 2007 could have ended in tragedy.

As the three vehicle patrol Gainey was in went down Route Gator in Baghdad, enemy fire transformed a normal mission into a life or death struggle for him, the fellow troops in his patrol, and several dismounted soldiers caught right in the jaws of the attack. From Gainey’s vantage point behind the imposing M240B machine gun, he was able to coordinate the counterattack with precisely aimed shots and suppressive fire.

The enemies’ attention locked onto his turret, firing a salvo at him, fragmenting and wounding him in the neck and hand. Undeterred, he refused medical treatment, preferring to heal his wounds by repulsing the ambush with automatic weapons fire from his position.

The vehicle commander knowing the American troops in the distance were doomed without his assistance, ordered the driver to advance to their position, requiring Gainey to call out upcoming obstacles from his elevated perch and maintain a hail of machine gun fire at the insurgent positions. From his exposed mount he refused to yield and fired more than 150 rounds – killing or repelling the last of the failed ambushers.

Because of Gainey’s steadfastness under enemy fire, his precisely aimed fire, and effective coordination with the vehicle’s crew, American lives were saved that day. His heroism earned him the Bronze Star with Valor.

SFC Drew Kimmey, Army, Silver Star, Afghanistan, Warden, WA

Drew C. Kimmey

Sgt. 1st Class Drew C. Kimmey, Capt. Stephen P. Ward and Staff Sgt. Carlo A. Alcazar, members of Civil Affairs Team 745, were recently recognized for their performance during an Afghanistan mission last November. The three soldiers were recognized for their efforts in rescuing a Special Forces team leader, who was also the ground forces commander that day.

CA Team 745 was stationed at Firebase Cobra in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, with special operations detachments from the 3rd Special Forces Group, members of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. On Nov. 2, 2007, the teams and their Afghan counterparts left the firebase to visit the village of Sarsina to conduct medical capabilities mission as well as a humanitarian aid drop. Once they arrived at the village, they discovered it had been evacuated and that Taliban fighters were entrenched into several fighting positions in an attempt to ambush forces in the area.

Alcazar reported only three families came in for medical treatment. The families told the soldiers the Taliban made the other people leave the village, but that having nowhere to go. they stayed. “What was alarming,” Ward said later, “was the buildings had locks and barricaded doors, which was a clear indication that the village wasn’t abandoned, but had been turned into a defendable position.”

All three quickly figured it was only a matter of time before the firefight would begin.

The teams were quickly engaged by 300 Taliban fighters. According to Army documents, after an hour of fighting, two vehicles were pulled to the rear of the fight after being disabled. This left the ground forces commander to the front of the coalition lines and in jeopardy of being overrun. At this point, Ward, the team leader for 745, radioed to the ground forces commander, who was pinned down in a vulnerable building, that his was on its way. Ward later said he and Alcazar went because they were the closest truck and the others were busy providing cover. Unfortunately, the team’s vehicle crashed into an enemy fighting position and became immobile, knocking Ward and Alcazar momentarily unconscious.

After they regained consciousness, Alcazar took to reloading ammunition belts, enabling Kimmey, the gunner, to continue to engage enemy forces. Ward exited the vehicle and directed his team to dismount and move to cover. Kimmey remained in the turret, providing cover for the team and allowing them to reach the ground forces commander. He stayed even though he knew the enemy was setting up mortar positions to destroy the truck he was firing from.

Kimmey was able to keep the Taliban from overrunning the soldiers with the .50-caliber gun. In the process, he was drawing a majority of the enemy fire. Ward reported the enemy was about 50 to 100 meters away at this point.

Team 745 moved to the ground commander’s position and helped in the recovery of the commander and the casualties. All of this was done, while under “continual, accurate and effective” enemy fire.
Since the team’s 745’s vehicle was immobile, it was stripped of all sensitive equipment, and its gun was dismantled to prevent the enemy from gaining off of the team’s loss. Once team 745 sterilized their truck, they had no choice but to run beside the Special Forces vehicle, using it as cover, until they reached safety, because there was no room for them on the truck. All three of them ran alongside the truck until they reached a checkpoint and mounted up into another vehicle for the ride back to firebase Cobra.

During the civil affairs award ceremony honoring all three for their heroic acts, Maj. Gen. John F. Mulholland, said, “The words can’t do justice, nor can the medal on your chest convey what they went up against.”

CSM Michael Clemens, Army, Bronze Star, Republic, MO

CSM Michael Clemens

With darkness descending over operations for then-First Sergeant Michael Clemens, sporadic fighting turned into chaos, which Clemens led his men through.

November 15, 2006, was day four of Operation Turki Bowl, a mission where Clemens and his fellow soldiers were tasked with clearing a volatile part of Iraq of insurgents and weapons. From his overwatch position, Clemens observed several insurgents in a village ahead and did not hesitate to launch a patrol of the area.

Under sporadic enemy fire, Clemens led three other American soldiers and four Iraqi Army soldiers towards the insurgent position. Peering around a corner, Clemens spotted a large truck – suspected of being packed with weapons – and heard the chatter of several insurgents. Clemens held his position and “lasered” the truck, bringing down pinpoint air support, ripping the truck apart and ending the insurgents’ threat.

Over his radio, Clemens received word that his Captain, the ranking officer in the unit, was hit when his vehicle struck an IED and there were numerous other casualties. Quickly pulling back with his patrol, Clemens moved to secure the area of the attack and evaluate the situation.

Clemens boldly assumed leadership of the troops on the ground and coordinated with superiors, air support, and the medevac helicopters to continue the fight and help the wounded. Through his leadership, his company repelled two counter-attacks and killed 12 insurgents, with all but one of the wounded Americans surviving.

For his brilliant command under fire and tremendous operational success, Clemens was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor.

• Hometown: Republic, MO
• Awarded: Bronze Star
• Interview:
  • Sep. 10, 2008 – Pentagon Channel (1.36 MB)
  • Sep. 12, 2008 – ABC (935 kb)

SSG Sean Kane, US Army, BSM w/V, Iraq, Los Altos, CA

SSG Sean Kane~Awarded Bronze Star w/ Valor

On an August evening in 2007, Staff Sergeant Sean Kane was conducting a meeting with a local Iraqi leader with other members of the 3rd Heavy Combat Brigade Team. These sorts of face to face interactions are absolutely vital to winning the support of the populace and defeating the insurgency. During the courtyard meeting, the outer layer of local security forces allowed a seemingly harmless passer-by to proceed towards the gathered Americans and Iraqis. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the unidentified man came closer and closer to the crowd and began to chant prayers when Kane realized what was approaching. Iraqi security saw the suicide vest on him, panicked, and ran away. As the Iraqi security guards ran from the would-be suicide bomber, Kane charged towards him. Kane put himself between the unarmed civilians, which included a family of 13, and the sadistic terrorist, Kane raised his weapon and at that moment the bomber detonated. Saving Kane and his fellow soldiers one of the Iraqi leader’s sons tackled the bomber and took the majority of the blast. Only ten feet from the blast, Kane was hit by the severed torso of the would-be killer and knocked to the ground. In the gore, smoke, and chaos ensuing after the explosion, Kane, dazed but focused, dragged himself to the entrance of the courtyard to guard against further attacks. By intercepting the bomber while all others fled, Kane’s split second decision saved the lives of three other soldiers, an interpreter, and many civilians. For his courage in staring down a terrorist and saving the lives of all those at the meeting, Staff Sergeant Sean Kane was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. Hometown: Los Altos, CA Awarded: Bronze Star with Valor

PFC Steve Egovail, Soldiers Medal, Afghanistan

Written by Pfc. Christina Sinders CTF Currahee Public Affairs

Sunday, 21 September 2008

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Sept. 20, 2008) – Smoke rose in thick, dark wisps as bricks, wood and stones lay scattered around a darkened crevice. A charred shell that was once a small vehicle lay nearby and an enormous hole exposed the bare insides of the targeted building. Inside, a humvee turret was lying beside the cabinets of what was once a kitchen, evidence of the deadly force of the explosion. When a suicide vehicle-borne IED detonated 15 meters from the Sabari District Center just before 4 p.m. on March 3, the blast leveled the building’s entire southern wall and destroyed a nearby humvee. “We received the emergency call during a fast-roping exercise,” said Pfc. Steve Egovail, Co. F, 5th Battalion 101st Aviation Regt., 101st Combat Aviation Brigade as he recalled the emergency mission his unit responded to Khost province, in early March. For his heroic actions recovering, treating and evacuating trapped and wounded Soldiers during an emergency personnel recovery mission, Egovail was awarded the Army Soldier’s Medal during a ceremony Sept. 19 at Forward Operating Base Salerno. He was presented the award by Brig. Gen. James McConville, deputy commanding general-support for Combined Joint Task Force-101. As UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters brought in the rescue effort, Egovail dismounted the helicopter and immediately assisted Spc. Pete Shearer, a Pathfinder Co. medic, with the evacuation of a dead Soldier by helicopter. The pair then quickly moved to the mangled remains of the first building. “[It] was hit badly,” said Egovail. “Shearer and I started moving rubble aside and after 20 minutes, we heard someone calling out to us.” Trapped beneath the rubble, a Soldier called out from a small space created by several collapsed ceiling beams. The beams had created a pocket, protecting him from falling debris, but making medical aid nearly impossible. Egovail and Shearer began trying to uncover the man by pulling sandbags, plywood, bricks and roof tiles off the pile of rubble covering the beams. The damaged roof and piles of debris were a constant danger to Shearer and Egovail putting them at risk of becoming trapped as well. Finally, after clearing a small entry, they began to assess the trapped Soldier’s medical condition. “We realized that a pillar was crushing one of his legs,” said Egovail. “We ended up using several car-jacks to lift the pillar off the guy’s leg.” Deciding that he could fit through the crawl space, Egovail slid into it and aided Shearer in administering oxygen to the Soldier with a face mask. Egovail remained buried in the small space with the Soldier as rescue forces continued to remove the debris blocking them in. The rescue forces had to work slowly and carefully, removing too much of the rubble would have caused the roof and the weight of the building to collapse, possibly killing Egovail and the trapped Soldier. After two hours and two tanks of oxygen, enough debris was cleared for Egovail and the other rescuers to free the trapped Soldier. After learning from the rescued Soldier that there was another person near him when the explosion occurred, Egovail immediately began looking for the third person still trapped in the debris. The FOB Salerno Fire and Rescue team began assisting the Soldiers by removing major debris with a front end loader. Finally rescuers uncovered the third man. He was immediately pronounced dead. The Soldiers and Fire and Rescue team spent many hours trying to secure and stabilize the collapsing building and shifting roof they were working underneath to continue to recover, treat and evacuate any additional casualties. “Our mission is need and emergency, if everything in every mission went exactly as planned, then we would have no mission,” said Capt. Brian McCray, Pathfinder Co.commander. “The guys on that mission did exactly what they should do, that’s how they were trained and that’s how they acted.” McCray recommended Egovail for the Army Soldier’s Medal a week after the incident, the award was approved Sept.18. “I have never felt so proud to be in the Army as I did at that moment,” said Egovail, as he spoke about that mission. “The training, the amount of time put in and all the hard things were well worth it to be able to go out and help like that.”

CW4 Keith Yoakum, US Army, DSC, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pride in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
(Posthumously) To

Keith Yoakum
Chief Warrant Officer Four, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Chief Warrant Officer Four Yoakum distinguished himself as a Pilot of an AH-64D Longbow Apache Helicopter on 2 February 2007 while engaged in aerial operations in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

During a reconnaissance mission, Chief Warrant Officer Four Yaokum's aircraft was seriously damaged by heavy enemy machine gun fire, which required him to land immediately. Without regard for his own safety and to protect his comrades, Chief Warrant Officer Four Yoakum chose to remain with his wingman to destroy the enemy. With his main gun inoperable, his only option was to climb in altitude and then dive while firing his Apache's rockets. Ultimately the aircraft succumbed to its battle damage and crashed.

Chief Warrant Officer Four Yoakum's distinctive accomplishments and dedication to service to his country are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and the United States Army.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SGT Anthony Viggiani, USMC, Navy Cross, Afghanistan, Strongsville, OH

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Anthony L. Viggiani
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action against Anti-Coalition Force Militia in Zabol Province, Afghanistan, serving as a squad leader for Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Twenty-Second Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed with commander, United States Fifth Fleet during Operation Enduring Freedom 3 June 2004.

While leading a company assault against an enemy held ridgeline north of the village of Khabargho, Sergeant Viggiani and his squadron came under heavy and accurate fire from an enemy force well entrenched inside a cave, pinning down one of his teams and wounding two of his Marines. Moving across exposed ground, under observation and fire from an adjacent enemy position, Sergeant Viggiani maneuvered to the cave opening, but achieving no effect on the enemy. Braving enemy fire from the adjacent enemy position, he went back to retrieve a fragmentation grenade. Again, under a hail of fire, he moved to within feet of the cave opening and employed the grenade to eliminate the enemy position, which was actively firing upon friendly forces. Killing three enemy fighters, Sergeant Viggiani destroyed the enemy strongpoint and allowed his company to continue their advance up to the ridgeline, solidly defeating the enemy by killing a total of fourteen Anti-Coalition fighters. In the process, he was wounded by rifle fire from the adjacent enemy position, yet he continued to lead his Marines in the attack. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire and utmost dedication to duty, Sergeant Viggiani reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
     Born:   at Strongsville, Ohio
     Home Town:   Strongsville, Ohio

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SCPO Britt Slabinski, USN SeAL, Navy Cross, Afghanistan

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Britt Slabinski
Senior Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy
For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Sniper Element Leader for a joint special operations unit conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Anaconda, Sahi-Kot Valley, Afghanistan on 3 and 4 March 2002, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On the evening of 3 March, Senior Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski led his seven-man reconnaissance team onto the snow-covered, 10,000 foot mountaintop known as Takur Ghar, to establish a combat overwatch position in support of U.S. Army forces advancing against the enemy on the valley floor. As their helicopter hovered over the mountain it was met by unrelenting rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire by entrenched enemy forces. As a result of several RPG hits, a member of Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski 's team was ejected from the helicopter into the midst of the fortified enemy positions.

The badly damaged helicopter conducted a controlled crash, at which time Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski immediately took charge and established security on the crash location until the crew and his team were recovered to a support base. At this point, Senior Chief Slabinski fully aware of the overwhelming, fixed, enemy forces over the mountain, but also knowing the desperate situation of his missing teammate, now reportedly fighting for his life, without hesitation made the selfless decision to lead his team on an immediate, bold rescue mission.

He heroically led the remainder of his SEAL element back onto the snow-covered, remote, mountaintop into the midst of the numerically superior enemy forces in a daring and valiant attempt to rescue one of their own. After a treacherous helicopter insertion onto the mountaintop, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski led his close quarter firefight. He skillfully maneuvered his team and bravely engaged multiple enemy positions, personally clearing one bunker and killing several enemy within. His unit became caught in a withering crossfire from other bunkers and the closing enemy forces.

Despite mounting casualties, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski maintained his composure and continued to engage the enemy until his position became untenable. Faced with no choice but a tactical withdrawal, he coolly directed fire from airborne assets to cover his team. He then led an arduous movement through the mountainous terrain, constantly under fire, covering over one kilometer in waist-deep snow, while carrying a seriously wounded teammate. Arriving at a defensible position, he organized his team's security posture and stabilized his casualties.

For over fourteen hours, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski directed the defense of his position through countless engagements, personally engaging the enemy and directing close air support onto the enemy positions until the enemy was ultimately defeated. During this entire sustained engagement, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski exhibited classic grace under fire in steadfastly leading the intrepid rescue operation, saving the lives of his wounded men and setting the conditions for the ultimate vanquishing of the enemy and the seizing of Takur Ghar.

By his heroic display of decisive and tenacious leadership, unyielding courage in the face of constant enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SGT Gregory Williams, US Army, DSC, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To

Gregory D. Williams, Jr.
Sergeant, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Sergeant Williams distinguished himself as a Squad Leader on 30 October 2006, while engaged in combat operations against armed insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

While his platoon was patrolling Baghdad's Huriyah neighborhood, they were ambushed with an array of explosively formed projectiles, small arms fire, and rocket propelled grenades. After being burned, wounded, and knocked temporarily unconscious, Sergeant Williams began to engage the enemy with his M4 carbine. Under heavy enemy fire, he recovered his immobilized platoon leader from the smoldering Stryker vehicle, then returned to the vehicle to man the .50-caliber M2 machinegun despite the threat of exploding ordnance and enemy fire. By establishing fire superiority against the enemy, Sergeant Williams freed other Soldiers who had been pinned, which allowed them to administer first aid to his wounded and burned comrades.

Sergeant Williams' valorous actions and bravery, which saved his platoon leader's life and forced the enemy to flee, are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, his command, and the United States Army.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

LCpl Joseph Perez, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Joseph B. Perez
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Rifleman, Company I, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 4 April 2003.

While clearing near Route 6 during the advance into Baghdad, 1st Platoon came under intense enemy fire. As the point man for the lead squad and the most exposed member of the platoon, Lance Corporal Perez came under the majority of these fires. Without hesitation, he continuously employed his M16A4 rifle to destroy the enemy while calmly directing accurate fires for his squad. He led the charge down a trench destroying the enemy and while closing and under tremendous enemy fire, threw a grenade into a trench that the enemy was occupying. While under a heavy volume of fire.

Lance Corporal Perez fired an AT-4 rocket into a machine gun bunker, completely destroying it and killing four enemy personnel. His actions enabled the squad to maneuver safely to the enemy position and seize it. In an effort to link up with 3d Platoon on his platoon's left flank, Lance Corporal Perez continued to destroy enemy combatants with precision rifle fire. As he worked his way to the left, he was hit by enemy fire, sustaining gunshot wounds' to his torso and shoulder.

Despite being seriously injured, Lance 'Corporal Perez directed the squad to take cover and gave the squad accurate fire direction to the enemy that enabled the squad to reorganize and destroy the enemy.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Perez reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

CPT Brent Morel, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pride in Presenting
The Navy Cross (Posthumously)
To

Brent Morel
Captain, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Platoon Commander, 2d Platoon, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 7 April 2004.

Captain Morel's platoon escorted a convoy into the Al Anbar Province when 40 to 60 insurgents in well-fortified and concealed positions initiated an ambush. Witnessing a rocket-propelled grenade crippling his lead vehicle and while mortar and machine gun fire erupted, he ordered his remaining two vehicles to secure a flanking position. Captain Morel left his vehicle and led a determined assault across an open field and up a 10-foot berm, in order to maneuver into firing positions.

The boldness of this first assault eliminated several insurgents at close range forcing their retreat. Observing his Marines pinned down from enemy fire, Captain Morel left the safety of his position and continued the assault, eliminating the enemy's attack. During this valiant act, he fell mortally wounded by a withering burst of enemy automatic weapons fire.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Captain Morel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SGT Charles Wyckoff, US Army, DSC, Afghanistan, Chula Vista, CA

The President of the United States
Takes Pride in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
(Posthumously) To

Charles Wyckoff
Sergeant, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For   extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 3d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division.

On 6 June 2007, Sergeant Wyckoff distinguished himself as a Rifle Team Leader in combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While engaged in close combat against determined enemy forces, Sergeant Wyckoff left his covered position without hesitation, to force the other members of his team to take cover. Sergeant Wyckoff revealed his position and fatally engaged two insurgents to save the lives of his platoon.

Sergeant Wyckoff's bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division and the United States Army.

Home Town: Chula Vista, California
Personal Awards: Silver Star (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SGT Scott Montoya, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Scott C. Montoya
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Scout Sniper, Scout Sniper Platoon, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 8 April 2003.

During the battle for Baghdad, Sergeant Montoya's sniper team arrived within Company F's position as they came under heavy small arms fire from a determined enemy force. He immediately encouraged Marines to deploy and return fire. Noticing a disabled civilian vehicle on the road in the line of fire and with complete disregard for his own life, he rushed forward amidst a hail of gunfire and dragged a wounded Iraqi civilian to safety. Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine struggling to get off the same fire swept street, he risked his life to lead the Marine to safety.

Returning to the front, he spotted a wounded Marine lying in the street. Ignoring the hailstorm of bullets, Sergeant Montoya rushed into the street for a third time to carry the injured Marine to safety. Sergeant Montoya returned a fourth time to evacuate an unconscious Marine. Returning to the front again, he dashed into the contested street and assisted a Marine to safety who had been dazed by an explosion. Sergeant Montoya ensured medical attention was administered and verified that evacuations were ongoing.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Montoya reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

CPL Robert Mitchell, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq, Des Moines, Iowa

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Robert J. Mitchell, Jr.
Corporal, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
The is presented to Robert J. Mitchell, Jr., Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004.

During a ferocious firefight with six insurgents fighting inside a heavily fortified house, Corporal Mitchell courageously attacked the enemy strongpoint to rescue five wounded Marines trapped inside the house. Locating the enemy positions and completely disregarding his own safety, he gallantly charged through enemy AK-47 fire and hand grenades, in order to assist a critically wounded Marine in an isolated room. Ignoring his own wounds, he began the immediate first aid treatment of the Marine's severely wounded leg.

Assessing that the Marine needed immediate intravenous fluids to survive, he suppressed the enemy, enabling a Corpsman to cross the impact zone. Once the Corpsman arrived, he moved to the next room to assist other casualties. While running across the impact zone a second time, he was hit in the left leg with a ricochet off of his weapon and with grenade shrapnel to the legs and face. While applying first aid, he noticed a wounded insurgent reach for his weapon. With his rifle inoperable, he drew his combat knife, stabbed the insurgent, and eliminated him instantly. Demonstrating great presence of mind, he then coordinated the casualties' evacuation. Limping from his own wounds, Corporal Mitchell assisted in the evacuation of the last casualty through the impact zone under enemy fire, ultimately saving the lives of multiple Marines.

By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Mitchell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
     Home Town:   Des Moines, IA

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

1LT Walter Jackson, US Army, DSC, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To

Walter Bryan Jackson
First Lieutenant [then Second Lieuenant], U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a Company Fire Support Officer with Company A, Task Force 1-36 (1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment), Multi-National Corps-Iraq, on 27 September 2006, while engaged in combat operations against an armed insurgent force in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

While recovering a disabled vehicle, Second Lieutenant Jackson's unit came under heavy enemy machine gun fire. Despite the danger, he applied first aid to a severely wounded comrade and was then hit in his thigh with a bullet. Upon regaining consciousness after being shot, Second Lieutenant Jackson alternated between returning fire and administering first aid to the Soldier. Second Lieutenant Jackson was hit again with machine gun fire as he helped carry his wounded comrade to safety, but he never faltered in his aid. Although his own severe wounds required immediate evacuation and surgical care, Second Lieutenant Jackson refused medical assistance until his wounded comrade could be treated.

Second Lieutenant Jackson's selfless courage under extreme enemy fire were essential to saving another Soldier's life and are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, Company A, Task Force 1-36 Infantry, and the United States Army.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SGT Aubrey McDade, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Aubrey L. McDade, Jr.
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Machine Gun Squad Leader attached to 1st Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team &, FIRST Marine Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 11 November 2004.

Shortly after departing a platoon firm base and proceeding south toward Phase Line Grace, 1st Platoon entered an alley and encountered an immediate heavy volume of small arms and machine gun fire. In the opening seconds of the engagement, three Marines were seriously wounded as the well positioned and expecting enemy pinned others down. On contact, Sergeant McDade rushed from the rear of the platoon column toward the kill zone and immediately deployed a machine gun team into the alley to provide suppressive fire on the enemy. After several attempts to reach casualties in the alley were met with heavy, well-aimed machine gun fire, he showed total disregard for his own safety by moving across the alley and successfully extracting the first of three wounded Marines from the kill zone. Aware of the fact that there were still two wounded Marines in the alley, Sergeant McDade dashed through the heart of the kill zone two more times, each time braving intense enemy fire to successfully retrieve a Marine. After extracting the last casualty from the kill zone, he assisted in the treatment and medical evacuation to these Marines.

His quick thinking and aggressive actions were crucial in saving the lives of two of the three casualties. Sergeant McDade’s undaunted courage, fighting spirit and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

CPL Marco Martinez, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq, Los Angelos, CA

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Marco A. Martinez
Corporal, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as 1st Fire Team Leader, 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 12 April 2003. Responding to a call to reinforce his Platoon that was ambushed, Corporal Martinez effectively deployed his team under fire in supporting positions for a squad assault.

After his squad leader was wounded, he took control and led the assault through a tree line where the ambush originated. As his squad advanced to secure successive enemy positions, it received sustained small arms fire from a nearby building. Enduring intense enemy fire and without regard for his own personal safety, Corporal Martinez launched a captured enemy rocket propelled grenade into the building temporarily silencing the enemy and allowing a wounded Marine to be evacuated and receive medical treatment. After receiving additional fire, he single-handedly assaulted the building and killed four enemy soldiers with a grenade and his rifle.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Corporal Martinez reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Hometown: Los Angelos, CA

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

PFC Stephen Sanford, US Army, DSC, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To

Stephen C. Sanford
Private First Class, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172d Stryker Brigade Combat Team, on 19 November 2005, during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Private Sanford displayed extraordinary courage during the evacuation of casualties from a home in Mosul, Iraq, while under intense enemy fire. Although shot through the leg during his squad’s initial assault attempt, he accompanied his squad during their second assault. Once inside the house, he provided a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the casualties were evacuated. He continued to engage the enemy while escorting the wounded Soldiers from the house. He returned to the house a second time to provide vital covering fire and security for the final withdrawal of the casualties. When the last Soldier leaving the house was shot in the neck, Private Sanford, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved to the Soldier and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

While attempting to revive the other Soldier, he was shot twice more in the back. Protecting the fallen Soldier, Private Sanford returned fire and killed an insurgent while receiving two more potentially fatal gunshot wounds. He continued to return devastating fire on the enemy while helping his wounded comrade until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood.

Private Sanford’s gallant deed was truly above and beyond the call of duty and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, the United States Army, and the United States of America.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

CPO Stephen Bass, USN SeAL, Navy Cross, Afghanistan

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Stephen Bass
Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy
For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving with the British Special Boat Service during combat operations in Northern Afghanistan on 25 and 26 November 2001. Chief Petty Officer Stephen Bass deployed to the area as a member of a Joint American and British Special Forces Rescue Team to locate and recover two missing American citizens, one presumed to be seriously injured or dead, after hard-line Al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners at the Quala-I-Jangi fortress in Mazar-e-Sharif over powered them and gained access to large quantities of arms and ammunition stored at the fortress.

Once inside, Chief Petty Officer Bass was engaged continuously by direct small arms fire, indirect mortar fire and rocket propelled grenade fire. He was forced to walk through an active anti-personnel minefield in order to gain entry to the fortress. After establishing the possible location of both American citizens, under heavy fire and without concern for his own personal safety, he made two attempts to rescue the uninjured citizen by crawling toward the fortress interior to reach him. Forced to withdraw due to large volumes of fire falling on his position, he was undeterred. After reporting his efforts to the remaining members of the rescue team, they left and attempted to locate the missing citizen on the outside of the fortress.

As darkness began to fall, no attempt was going to be made to locate the other injured American citizen. Chief Petty Officer Bass then took matters into his own hands. Without regard for his own personal safety, he moved forward another 300-400 meters into the heart of the fortress by himself under constant enemy fire in an attempt to locate the injured citizen. Running low on ammunition, he utilized weapons from deceased Afghans to continue his rescue attempt. Upon verifying the condition and location of the American citizen, he withdrew from the fortress.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer Bass reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

GySgt Justin Lehew, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Justin D. Lehew
Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation: For extraordinary heroism as Amphibious Assault Platoon Sergeant, Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, Task Force Tarawa, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 and 24 March 2003. As Regimental Combat Team 2 attacked north towards An Nasiriyah, Iraq, lead elements of the Battalion came under heavy enemy fire.

When the beleaguered United States Army 507th Maintenance Company convoy was spotted in the distance, Gunnery Sergeant Lehew and his crew were dispatched to rescue the soldiers. Under constant enemy fire, he led the rescue team to the soldiers.

SGT Jarret Kraft, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq, Fresno, CA

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Jarrett A. Kraft
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Squad Leader, 81-millimeter Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 December 2004.

As numerically superior insurgent forces attacked Sergeant Kraft and the Marines in Al Fallujah, Iraq, he quickly organized and fearlessly led three assault forces on three separate attacks to repel the insurgents and ensure the successful advance of the battalion. With complete disregard for his own life, he placed himself between intense enemy fire and the men during each attack providing suppressive fire and leadership to sustain the fight and eliminate the enemy. Although grenades thrown by the insurgents rendered him momentarily unconscious during one assault, this did not dampen his spirit or determination. Undeterred, Sergeant Kraft continued to lead from the front, despite being wounded himself. On two more occasions, he was knocked down stairwells by enemy grenade blasts and finally while emplacing a sniper in a critical location, Sergeant Kraft was knocked down by the blast from a friendly M1A1 tank main gun. He demonstrated courageous leadership with a complete disregard for his own safety, during this desperate two-hour battle as he personally braved multiple enemy small arms kill zones to render assistance and guidance to his Marines.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Kraft reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
     Home Town:   Fresno, California

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

MSG Brendan O'Connor, US Army Special Forces, DSC, Afghanistan

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To

Brendan O'Connor
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in combat as the Senior Medical Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 765 (ODA-765), Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Panjawal District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

On 24 June 2006, during Operation Kaiki, Sergeant O'Connor led a quick-reaction force to reinforce a surrounded patrol and rescue two wounded comrades. He maneuvered his force through Taliban positions and crawled alone and unprotected, under enemy machinegun fire to reach the wounded soldiers. He provided medical care while exposed to heavy volumes of Taliban fire, then carried one of the wounded 150 meters across open ground to an area of temporary cover. He climbed over a wall three times, in plain view of the enemy, to assist the wounded soldiers in seeking cover while bullets pounded the structure around them. Sergeant O'Connor assumed duties as the detachment operations sergeant and led the consolidation of three friendly elements, each surrounded, isolated, and receiving fire from all directions.

His remarkable actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Command Central, the United States Army and the Department of Defense.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

1SG Bradley Kasal, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq, Afton, Iowa

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Bradley A. Kasal
First Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure.

When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure.

By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
     Home Town:   Afton, Iowa

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

LCpl Dominic Esquibel, USMC, Navy Cross, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Navy Cross
To

Dominic D. Esquibel
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Scout Sniper, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 25 November 2004. After an enemy ambush on 3d Platoon nearby, Lance Corporal Esquibel quickly moved to an overwatch position and spotted five wounded Marines in a building courtyard.

He courageously low-crawled close to the enemy stronghold to gain intelligence and then ran through the rooftops under intense enemy fire to relay the intelligence to the 3d Platoon Commander. With total disregard for his own safety, he re-occupied his position and threw a grenade, destroying several enemy insurgents and silencing one of the enemy's machine guns. After eliminating part of the threat, he low-crawled to another area and dropped a grenade through a hole in the roof, eliminating several more enemy personnel and silencing another enemy machine gun. As a tank breached the courtyard wall, 3d Platoon began suppressing the target building. He seized this opportunity and quickly moved to the courtyard while under enemy machine gun fire, dragging out a wounded Marine. He re-entered the courtyard to retrieve a second wounded Marine. Still under enemy fire, he moved through the open area a third time, extinguished a fire that had mortally wounded the third casualty, and swiftly carried out his body. Due to his heroic efforts, two Marines survived the devastating enemy ambush.

By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Esquibel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com

SSG Timothy Nein, US Army, DSC, Iraq

The President of the United States
Takes Pleasure in Presenting
The Distinguished Service Cross
To

Timothy Nein
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

For Services as Set Forth in the Following

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with the 617th Military Police Company, 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne), 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, on 20 March 2005, while engaged in combat operations during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

While patrolling a supply route, Staff Sergeant Nein's squad observed a convoy of semi-tractor trailers that was being ambushed by approximately 50 anti-Iraqi insurgents with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades. He responded by dismounting his squad and leading them in a counterattack to flank the enemy trench line. Still under heavy fire, Staff Sergeant Nein displayed great courage by directing an assault on an enemy trench line, firing his weapon and throwing hand grenades to suppress the enemy. His squad killed several insurgents, captured large quantities of weapons and ammunition, and saved the lives of numerous convoy members.

Staff Sergeant Nein's bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne), the 18th Military Police Brigade, and the United States Army.

Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com