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Honoring Service

 

Bravery, Service, Sacrifice

Our military men and women in Afganistan and Iraq are true American heros.
The accounts of their bravery, service and sacrifice are not being told.

Type the words; Hero and New York Times into any internet search engine and see how many of their stories you find. If you know of a story that belongs on this page please click HERE

America Needs to Know

SERGEANT 1ST CLASS PAUL R. SMITH
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

On April 4, 2005, Sergeant Smith was posthumously awarded the first Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

CORPORAL JASON L. DUNHAM
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

On January 11, 2007 Corporal Dunham was posthumously awarded the second Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

On October 22, 2007 Lieutenant Murphy was posthumously awarded the Third Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

 

PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner in SEAL Team 3, Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

On April 8, 2008 Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor was posthumously awarded the forth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

 

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROSS A. MCGINNIS
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.

That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.

Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

On June 2, 2008 Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis was posthumously awarded the fifth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

STAFF SERGEANT JARED C. MONTI
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21st, 2006. While Staff Sergeant Monti was leading a mission aimed at gathering intelligence and directing fire against the enemy, his 16-man patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy fighters.

On the verge of being overrun, Staff Sergeant Monti quickly directed his men to set up a defensive position behind a rock formation. He then called for indirect fire support, accurately targeting the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still directing fire, Staff Sergeant Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol. Staff Sergeant Monti then realized that one of his soldiers was lying wounding on the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol's position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Monti twice attempted to move from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of relentless enemy fire to rescue his fallen comrade.

Determined not to leave his soldier, Staff Sergeant Monti made a third attempt to cross open terrain through intense enemy fire. On this final attempt, he was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his fellow soldier. Staff Sergeant Monti's selfless acts of heroism inspired his patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Staff Sergeant Monti's immeasurable courage and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.

On September 17, 2010 Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti was posthumously awarded the sixth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT JAMES MILLER
UNITED STATES ARMY

 

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan during combat operations against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Afghanistan on 25 January 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle’s turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command, enabling effective, accurate close air support.

Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. Exposed and with little available cover, the patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol, cut off from supporting elements, and less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy over exposed ground and under overwhelming enemy fire in order to provide protective fire for his team. While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. He then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire.

His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller’s heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army."

On October 6, 2010 Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller was posthumously awarded the seventh Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

STAFF SERGEANT SALVATORE A. GIUNTA
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. While conducting a patrol as team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, Specialist Giunta and his team were navigating through harsh terrain when they were ambushed by a well-armed and well-coordinated insurgent force. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta immediately sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. Seeing that his squad leader had fallen and believing that he had been injured, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to withering enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon.

Without regard to the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta engaged the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover in order to conceal his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers who were separated from the squad, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. The team continued forward and upon reaching the wounded soldiers, Specialist Giunta realized that another soldier was still separated from the element. Specialist Giunta then advanced forward on his own initiative. As he crested the top of a hill, he observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other. Upon reaching the wounded soldier, he began to provide medical aid, as his squad caught up and provided security. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy.

Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.

On November 16, 2010 Staff Sgt. Giunta was awarded the eighth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

STAFF SERGEANT LEROY A. PETRY
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position.

The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first grenade explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. A second grenade then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the grenade it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed. Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers.

Staff Sergeant Petry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army.

 

On July 12, 2011 Sgt. Petry was awarded the nineth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

CORPORAL DAKOTA MEYER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U.S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative. With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner's position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U.S. team.

Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area. During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U.S. personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U.S. team members.Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot to locate and recover the bodies of his team members.

Corporal Meyer's daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy's attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on. His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

On September 15, 2011 Sgt. Meyer was awarded the tenth Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

STAFF SERGEANT CLINTON L. ROMESHA
UNITED STATES ARMY

.For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 3 October 2009. On that morning, Staff Sergeant Romesha and his comrades awakened to an attack by an estimated 300 enemy fighters occupying the high ground on all four sides of the complex, employing concentrated fire from recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars and small arms fire. Staff Sergeant Romesha moved uncovered under intense enemy fire to conduct a reconnaissance of the battlefield and seek reinforcements from the barracks before returning to action with the support of an assistant gunner. Staff Sergeant Romesha took out an enemy machine gun team and, while engaging a second, the generator he was using for cover was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, inflicting him with shrapnel wounds.

Undeterred by his injuries, Staff Sergeant Romesha continued to fight and upon the arrival of another soldier to aid him and the assistant gunner, he again rushed through the exposed avenue to assemble additional soldiers. Staff Sergeant Romesha then mobilized a five-man team and returned to the fight equipped with a sniper rifle. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Romesha continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, as he moved confidently about the battlefield engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets, including three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost?s perimeter. While orchestrating a successful plan to secure and reinforce key points of the battlefield, Staff Sergeant Romesha maintained radio communication with the tactical operations center. As the enemy forces attacked with even greater ferocity, unleashing a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and recoilless rifle rounds, Staff Sergeant Romesha identified the point of attack and directed air support to destroy over 30 enemy fighters.

After receiving reports that seriously injured soldiers were at a distant battle position, Staff Sergeant Romesha and his team provided covering fire to allow the injured soldiers to safely reach the aid station. Upon receipt of orders to proceed to the next objective, his team pushed forward 100 meters under overwhelming enemy fire to recover and prevent the enemy fighters from taking the bodies of the fallen comrades. Staff Sergeant Romesha?s heroic actions throughout the day-long battle were critical in suppressing an enemy that had far greater numbers. His extraordinary efforts gave Bravo Troop the opportunity to regroup, reorganize and prepare for the counterattack that allowed the Troop to account for its personnel and secure Combat Post Keating. Staff Sergeant Romesha?s discipline and extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

 

 

 

 

Marine Corps Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec

“If you took 100 Doug Zembiecs to war with you, you could conquer the world.” That is how Maj. Zembiec’s high-school wrestling coach characterized him – though the men who served with him captured his spirit more succinctly: He was reverently called the “Lion of Fallujah.” A magnetic commander, an “unapologetic warrior,” Zembiec believed in leading by deeds rather than words. As a result, his men would tell you that they would follow Zembiec to the gates of hell – or, at the very least, into the treacherous urban battlefield of Fallujah.

In early April of 2004, Zembiec’s company was sent in to help pacify Fallujah and restore order in a city where violence had spiraled out of control. During the month-long battle to claim Fallujah, Zembiec’s Echo Company was often the first one in and the last one out.On April 6, Zembiec, a captain at the time, found himself deep in insurgent territory in Fallujah’s Jolan district.A Marine patrol was taking heavy fire, and Zembiec’s unit was called in to lead a retaliatory assault. Right after arriving, Echo Company rushed toward the enemies, who launched a heavy volley of fire toward the new arrivals. Instead of directing from the back, Zembiec himself led the men toward the fire, determined to help the trapped patrol.His men moved to a roof to counter the insurgents who had been firing down from above. The enemies wasted no time and focused their AK-47- and RPG-fire on the Marines on the roof. The Marines tried to radio an Abrams tank to fire on the enemy, but the tank didn’t respond. As they continued to call for assistance, Zembiec decided to take matters into his own hands.He raced down the stairs and directly into the line of fire, heading toward the tank. He climbed up to the hatch even as mortar rounds exploded nearby and bullets ricocheted off the metal. Unscathed, he told the tank operators where to fire. The tank made quick work of the enemy, and Zembiec ran back to the roof. Witnesses say the other Marines dropped their jaws in awe of his bravery.

A few weeks later, on April 26, insurgents opened fire on Zembiec’s platoon from three sides, with thousands of rounds. Grenades flew back and forth between the enemy and his men – with only 20 feet between them. Zembiec, wounded by shrapnel, moved to a better position to direct the counterattack. He then moved from house to house, encouraging and motivating his men and repositioning the outnumbered Marines. Even as the battle raged, Zembiec coordinated the evacuation of nine injured Marines.Later, despite being assigned to a desk job, Zembiec volunteered to return to the frontlines. He completed a tour in Afghanistan and returned to Iraq again. On May 11, 2007, Zembiec was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, while leading a combat operation.

When people think of warriors and heroes, images of legendary Spartans or Trojans often come to mind. The tales of those warriors may have faded into history, but that same timeless courage and heroism lives on in a new breed of heroes – men like Doug Zembiec, the “Lion of Fallujah.”

For his month-long fight in Fallujah, Zembiec received a Bronze Star for Valor on Dec. 9, 2004

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Adlesperger

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Adlesperger

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.

 

Air Force Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham

Airman Cunningham was a search-and-rescue medic on the same mission as Tech. Sgt. Chapman on March 4, 2002. The Chinook helicopter carrying the group was shot down, and although a hasty defense was formed, they suffered many casualties. Cunningham stayed in the burning Chinook to treat the wounds of the servicemen, and braved attacks to re-position the critically wounded men. Even after Cunningham was severely injured, he continued to direct movement and care of the wounded to another medic. His efforts saved 10 seriously injured Americans. For his actions at “Robert’s Ridge,” Cunningham was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross on Sept. 13, 2002.

 

 

Marine Corps Sgt. Jarred L. Adams

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.

 

Arizona Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Carpenter

Then-Staff Sgt. Carpenter and his squad were in a convoy performing reconnaissance and surveillance patrols on Oct. 6, 2005, when the lead vehicle was hit. Carpenter sectioned off the area around the damaged vehicle, which had veered off the road and crashed into a building. Unable to reach his headquarters on the vehicle’s radio, Carpenter called in the situation using his cell phone. He directed the pickup and transport of the injured soldiers, and also led his team to extract the wounded and dead from the disabled vehicle. His immediate response saved the lives of two severely injured soldiers. For his actions and leadership, Carpenter received the Bronze Star Medal in August.

 

Marine Corps Maj. Armando Espinoza

The opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March and April of 2003 will go down as one of the most impressive advances in military history. So impressive, in fact, that it is easy to forget how heated some of the battles were, and how hard some of Saddam Hussein’s forces fought.

On April 9, 2003, the 5th Marines took control of one of Saddam’s palaces in Baghdad. Fedayeen fighters in the area refused to give up the fight and continued to launch offensives. The battle continued through the night and into the next morning – at which point then-Capt. Espinoza and his team were called in to evacuate the casualties.

As Espinoza’s team flew over the Tigris River toward the palace, they began receiving small-arms and RPG fire. Espinoza and his wingman maneuvered through the attacks and approached a seemingly impossible landing zone: There was only room for one helicopter to land beside a swimming pool surrounded by large palm trees. Espinoza put his helicopter down amidst sniper shots from the rooftop and small-arms fire from numerous other directions. His corpsman quickly identified four injured Marines and loaded them onto the helicopter. After stabilizing them, Espinoza started the flight back to the casualty point, ordering his gunners to fire back at the enemy as he weaved through a maze of gunfire.

Four more times that day, Espinoza and his team returned to retrieve wounded Marines. He dodged bullets, landed under enemy fire, and his gunners helped suppress the large enemy attack. That night his team also ran a re-supply mission, dropping off much-needed ammunition, water, and equipment to Marines on the ground. On his final trip, Espinoza and his team returned to the combat zone to evacuate Iraqi civilians caught in the line of fire.

At the end of the long and weary battle, Espinoza’s team had safely evacuated 28 Marines and a family of seven Iraqis. For his leadership and actions, Espinoza was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Feb. 25, 2005. Marine Corps

 

Air Force Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman

Tech. Sgt. Chapman and his team were on a reconnaissance mission in northeastern Afghanistan on March 4, 2002. The team’s Chinook came under heavy enemy fire, forcing it to crash land. After landing, Chapman called in close-air support to cover the exposed team and to help search for a Navy SEAL team member who had fallen out of the helicopter. Searching for the missing SEAL, he killed two enemies, then came upon a dug-in machine gun nest. Enemies fired on the rescue team from three sides; Chapman fired back at close range until multiple wounds took his life. For his actions at “Robert’s Ridge,” Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross on Jan. 10, 2003. A U.S. Navy cargo ship was named in honor of him on April 8, 2005.

 

 

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal

Petty Officer Bruckenthal, a damage controlman, was on a security mission in the Persian Gulf on April 24, 2004, when suicide bombers initiated a waterborne assault on the Khawr Al Amaya oil terminal. Bruckenthal was severely wounded while defending the Iraqi terminal, and later died from his injuries. He was serving aboard the USS Firebolt on his second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guardsman killed in combat since the Vietnam War. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal in April 2004.

 

 

Arkansas Army National Guard 1st Lt. Michael McCarty

First Lt. McCarty’s platoon was patrolling in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad on Nov. 20, 2004, when a group of insurgents attacked. As the enemy fighters inflicted a massive assault on the 26-man team, McCarty directed a counterattack. At one point, McCarty charged and destroyed an enemy machine-gun team without any support. In all, his team stopped an enemy three-man machine-gun team and a force of about 75 insurgents. McCarty’s actions prevented the capture of an Iraqi police station. On Feb. 4, 2006, McCarty was awarded the Silver Star Medal. He was previously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson

Many Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives hide among the treacherous peaks of Afghanistan, making searches and missions difficult and dangerous. However, for Navy Seals called in to search the hostile areas, it’s just another day’s work.

Petty Officer Axelson, along with Petty Officer Dietz, were part of a four-man reconnaissance team sent on one such mission, tasked with finding a key Taliban leader east of Asadabad, Afghanistan. As the team made their way through the mountainous region, Taliban sympathizers spotted the Seals, and alerted terrorist fighters of the team’s presence.

A deadly firefight ensued between the four Seals and an enemy force of at least 30 fighters. Positioning themselves as best they could, the team realized they needed help. They radioed for reinforcements – and soon, a MH-47 Chinook helicopter was on its way to help in the fight.

However, the Taliban fighters spotted the Chinook as it made its way toward the Seals’ position, and they launched a RPG toward the aircraft, shooting it down and killing all 16 men aboard.

The Seals knew their chances were slim, but they continued to hold their ground. Both Axelson and Dietz were severely injured, but they continued to fight, taking several of the enemy with them to their graves.

Although Axelson and Dietz died from their wounds, their actions allowed one of the Seals to evade the enemy and escape. A few days later, the surviving Seal was recovered by U.S. forces.

Both Axelson and Dietz were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross on Sept. 13, 2006.

 

Marine Corps. Capt. Brian R. Chontosh

Then-1st Lt. Chontosh was leading his platoon north toward Ad Diwaniyah in southern Iraq on March 25, 2003. Insurgents set up an ambush, and with Coalition tanks blocking the road ahead, Chontosh’s group got caught directly in the line of fire. Chontosh had his driver position their vehicle to cut off an enemy machine gun firing on the platoon. He then ordered his driver to position the vehicle into the enemy trench. He exited the vehicle to begin clearing the trench. Chontosh single handedly cleared more than 200 meters of an enemy trench, using his own weapons and discarded enemy weapons, killing more than 20 insurgents and disabling others. Chontosh was awarded the Navy Cross Medal on March 12, 2004.

 

 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel R. Leoncio

Petty Officer Leoncio was on patrol with a group of Marines in southern Ramadi, Iraq, searching for weapons and insurgent activity on Oct. 4, 2005. His convoy was hit by several improvised explosive devices, one of which disabled Leoncio’s vehicle, killing the driver and injuring three others, including Leoncio. After being pulled to safety, Leoncio told one of the Marines how to apply a tourniquet to his badly damaged right leg. Although he sustained a shattered femur and internal bleeding, Leoncio refused medical evacuation, staying to treat the wounded, including his badly injured platoon commander. After the Marines convinced Leoncio that there were no others that needed attention, he agreed to be evacuated. Due to the severity of his injuries, Leoncio’s right leg had to be amputated. For his actions, Leoncio was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device in April 2006.

 

 

Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilzcek,

Spc. Jose Alvarez,

Spc.Gregory Pushkin,

Sgt. Michael Row

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.

 

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Stephen J. Boada

1st Lt. Boada was attached to a platoon on routine patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan when over two dozen extremists attacked the Marines. As the unit’s forward air controller, Boada directed air attacks on insurgent positions. After two Marines were hit by fire while approaching an enemy cave entrance, Boada and a fellow Marine worked their way from boulder to boulder across roughly 25 meters to rescue them, all the while under machine gun fire from the cave. Boada hurled grenades into the cave, killing the fighters inside. Boada later directed further air strikes to cover the platoon’s withdrawal. 1st Lt. Boada received the Silver Star on February 1, 2006. When asked about his role that day, he said simply, "The Marines I was with that day deserve the recognition. They all need to be talked about, talked about more than me, they are all amazing."

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Edward B. Albietz

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.

 

Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sgt. Kent Padmore

On June 23, 2005, then-Sgt. Padmore was leading a security force near Fallujah, Iraq, when his convoy was ambushed. The attack began when a suicide car bomber crashed into the lead vehicle. Padmore immediately jumped out to assess the damage to the lead vehicle. Even with enemy fighters firing from rooftops – and with .50 caliber rounds firing off in all directions as the vehicle burned – Padmore dashed across 200 yards of open ground to reach those injured by the blast. Padmore, an emergency medical technician in civilian life, quickly set to removing the men from danger and administering medical attention. Padmore dragged six Marines to safety, then returned to the vehicle to save the four still at the scene. Despite second-degree burns on his hands suffered during the rescue, Padmore helped set up a triage and gave medical attention to the injured. He is credited with saving the life and leg of one of the wounded Marines, which earned him a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V.”

The Trinidad and Tobago native credits his background growing up in a third-world country with helping him better understand the way Iraqis are used to conducting business and everyday life – which made him instrumental in helping bridge the societal and cultural differences between U.S. troops and local Iraqis. For his actions in Iraq and his service, Padmore was named the 2006 Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year.

 

 

Georgia Army National Guard
Pfc. Justin Hair

Pfc. Hair and his unit were working a security checkpoint near Radwiniyah, Iraq, on June 13, 2005, when a suicide bomber attempted to pass through in a vehicle rigged with explosives. Assessing the dangerous situation, Hair advanced on the enemy and killed him before the insurgent was able to detonate the device. As a result, he was injured in the attack. Hair’s quick thinking and actions likely saved several lives. Hair was the first to engage and eliminate an enemy in combat for the 48th Brigade Combat Team in 60 years.

For his actions, Hair received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal on Aug. 20, 2005.

 

Army Reserve Spc. Jeremy Church

Army Reserve Spc. Church was on an emergency fuel run on April 9, 2004, when more than 150 insurgents ambushed his convoy near Abu Ghraib, Iraq. Church began firing back at the enemies while steering his Humvee through the kill zone. When a soldier in his Humvee was struck in the head by insurgent fire, Church administered first aid as he drove. Even after an improvised explosive device (IED) blew out one of the tires, he continued driving. After delivering the wounded soldier to medics in a secured perimeter, Church rallied nearby soldiers to get back to the fight. They made their way back to help 10 trapped soldiers and contractors. In February 2005, Church became the first Army Reserve soldier to receive the Silver Star Medal in the Global War on Terror.

 

 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Raymond E. Bittinger

It’s that feeling in the pit of your stomach – when you know something is wrong. For Staff Sgt. Bittinger, that feeling came on April 9, 2004, as his troops approached the small town of Behriz, Iraq. Military intel and a recent attack suggested insurgents were planning actions against U.S. forces in the area. And now Bittinger and his team found themselves in what appeared to be a ghost town: not an Iraqi in sight and no security visible.

Suddenly, the men spotted movement in the palm groves; insurgents unleashed a torrent of RPG and small-arms fire. During the battle, as enemies directed their fire toward specific targets, Bittinger weaved in and out of the line of fire, protecting his comrades by drawing gunfire to his own vehicle. As they fought, Bittinger’s gunner took a hit, and fell from his seat. Bittinger quickly removed his flak jacket, used it to pressure the wound, and then jumped behind the gun and kept firing.

In the heat of battle, Bittinger knew that if his men stayed where they were, they’d be sitting ducks for the better-positioned insurgents. He had his driver move their Bradley between the enemy fire and the other soldiers, allowing them to move to a better tactical location. Eventually, Bittinger and his men subdued the enemies as they left the area.

Later that night, 20 to 30 insurgents attacked Coalition forces in the heart of Baqubah. Bittinger rounded up a crew of volunteers and headed out to help. En route, Bittinger’s vehicle took out insurgents who were firing RPGs and using small arms. Before arriving at the scene, Bittinger’s vehicle was hit by an IED, but they continued forward. Before he reached Baqubah, Bittinger received orders to instead secure a bridge over the Diyala River. So his team took a turn and headed toward the river.

April 9th was a hard and busy day for Bittinger and his soldiers. They killed at least 10 insurgents and wounded several others at Behriz; on their route to Baqubah, they killed five and wounded an additional four. For his bravery, Bittinger received the Silver Star on July 19, 2004.

 

Army Cpl. Nathaniel S. Baughman
Cpl. Baughman was deployed with the 187th Infantry Regiment in September 2005 for a year-long deployment to Iraq. On July 17, 2006, Baughman’s Humvee was part of a convoy participating in patrol operations in the city of Bayji, Iraq. His Humvee was hit by a RPG, severely injuring him. Later that day, Baughman died from his injuries. For going beyond the call of duty and for giving his life for his fellow soldiers, on July 19, 2006, Baughman was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

 

Kentucky Army National Guard

Staff Sgt. F. Timothy Nein

Sgt. Jason I. Mike

Staff Sgt. Nein and then-Spc. Mike were part of a routine convoy escort on March 20, 2005, when a group of more than 30 insurgents ambushed the convoy. Enemy fighters had taken up positions in irrigation ditches along the road and in an orchard nearby. Insurgents disabled the lead vehicle, bringing the convoy to a halt in the middle of the kill zone. As insurgents began streaming toward the stopped convoy, Nein and his team leader, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, jumped out of their vehicles and took cover near the enemy’s trench. Mike’s vehicle, which was toward the end of the convoy line, took up a position at the other end of the trench, trapping the enemy fighters. As Nein and Hester began clearing the trench of insurgents from one side, another wave of fighters attacked from the other side, wounding three of the four soldiers around Mike. Mike, a medic, moved the injured soldiers out of direct enemy fire, picked up two weapons, and began defending from the attacks on both sides. After Mike eliminated the threat, he began treating the wounded.

Meanwhile, as soldiers provided cover fire, Nein and Hester moved through two trenches filled with enemy fighters. They cleared both trenches, killing 27 insurgents, wounding six, and capturing one. The group also recovered several items of significance, including a video camera that the insurgents were using to film the ambush and another video tape in the pocket of a dead enemy fighter that showed a beheading.

For their actions, Nein and Mike received the Silver Star Medal in June 2005.

 

 

Indiana Army National Guard’s Sgt. Joseph E. Proctor
Sgt. Proctor, an aviation fueler, volunteered for a dangerous assignment as an embedded trainer to a group of Iraqi soldiers that routinely patrolled a violent section of the Anbar province. On May 3, 2006, Proctor was manning an isolated post in a barracks building near Ramadi when he heard shots outside. Hearing the commotion, Proctor threw on his protective gear, grabbed a weapon and left the secure location to go assess the situation outside. Immediately, insurgents began firing heavily upon the compound while a large dump truck laden with explosives broke through the gate and headed toward the barracks. Proctor stood his ground and fired into the cab of the truck, eventually killing the driver. The explosives detonated, severely injuring Proctor. Because of his quick and fearless actions, the truck did not penetrate the compound deeply, and no one else was hurt. Proctor died as a result of the injuries he sustained from the attack. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star on Dec. 20, 2006, making him the first Indiana National Guardsmen to receive the Silver Star since the Vietnam War.

 

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bradley A. Kasal

Sgt. Maj. Kasal was assisting one of his platoons in Fallujah on Nov. 14, 2004, when heavy gunfire broke out in an Iraqi home known as the “House of Hell.” Marines quickly began exiting the building as Kasal rushed in to assess the situation and help. Kasal was hit multiple times as he grabbed a wounded Marine stranded in the line of fire. Once they were in a more sheltered area, they realized that they only had enough bandages to help one of them. Kasal gave all his medical supplies to the other Marine instead of trying to divide the supplies. The insurgents continued their heavy assault, and threw a hand grenade within a few feet of the Marines to force them to come out from under cover. Kasal reacted quickly, and used his own severely injured body to protect the other Marine from shrapnel. Despite losing about 60 percent of his blood from more than 40 shrapnel wounds and seven gunshot wounds, Kasal survived. On May 1, 2006, Kasal was awarded the Navy Cross.

 

Army Staff Sgt. Shane M. Koele

In a war zone, daily missions vary as much in number as they do in type. On March 15, 2005, Staff Sgt. Koele and his squad had just finished their patrol for the day in the western province of Herat, Afghanistan, when they received a call for help. Afghans nearby were drowning in a river. The squad quickly responded, assisted the drowning Afghans, and returned to base--only to learn that another patrol needed help in the nearby town of Parmakaan. Koele immediately went back to work, planning routes and organizing his squad for a third mission that day. Yet, despite the best planning, Koele’s squad could not anticipate the landmines that had been buried just outside the town. As they approached Parmakaan, Koele’s vehicle hit one of the landmines. The blast severely injured him, and he died the following day. Koele was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in March 2005.

 

Navy Reserve Capt. Matthew C. Gratton

While serving as the battalion surgeon for a Marine unit from January to September 2005 in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, Dr. Gratton was responsible for the health and well-being of 1,700 Marines, sailors and Iraqi soldiers. During his deployment, Gratton provided specialized medical care to more than 1,000 patients, and organized material and personnel support for more than 500 Iraqi army personnel. In addition, Gratton provided trauma care to the battalion’s 345 troops wounded in action, 150 of whom were in critical condition and had to be evacuated. On Aug. 28, 2006, Gratton was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

 

Kentucky Army National Guard Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
Sgt. Hester’s squad was following a supply convoy on March 20, 2005, in Iraq when insurgents ambushed the convoy. Her squad quickly moved into position, cutting off the enemy’s escape route. Hester led her team directly into the line of fire into a flanking position, and then began an assault on a trench line. She and her squad leader cleared two trenches. When the attack was over, 27 insurgents were dead, six were wounded, and one was captured. In June 2005, Hester was the first woman soldier since World War II to be awarded the Silver Star Medal.

 

Former Kentucky Army National Guard Spc. Ashley Pullen

The Kentucky National Guard’s 617th Military Police Company has turned out a long list of heroes – among them Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein, and Sgt. Jason Mike. Spc. Pullen is yet another addition to those ranks.

On March 20, 2005, Pullen was driving one of three Humvees providing security for a 30-vehicle convoy traveling in Iraq. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary – which is often how the prelude to an ambush appears. Suddenly insurgents sprung a complex operation and began pouring heavy fire from multiple directions, stopping the convoy in its tracks. Pullen’s unit moved out from behind the convoy to flank the insurgents and prevent them from escaping. Pullen’s team began firing back.

Then she heard a call for help over the radio. Pullen backed her Humvee into a better position, jumped out, and ran 90 meters through the line of fire toward the injured soldier. She administered first aid and tried to calm him down. As she was treating him, another soldier launched a shoulder-held rocket toward a nest of insurgents. Although he warned of the impending firing, Pullen couldn’t move out of the way fast enough. She threw her small frame over the wounded soldier to protect him from the blast – a blast that threw her off the soldier onto her backside.

About 27 insurgents were killed during the fight, and six were injured. For her efforts, Pullen was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” on June 16, 2005.

 

 

Louisiana Army National Guard Sgt. Seth Randell Trahan

Disrupting the holiest day of the Shiite religious calendar, eight suicide bombers struck in Iraq in quick succession, killing numerous people on Feb. 19, 2005. Iraqi forces in Baghdad were struggling to handle the large bundle of attacks, and asked for Coalition assistance. As Trahan’s team was responding to the Iraq forces’ call for help, he was killed by an IED. Trahan was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 3d Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, out of Crowley, La.

Trahan had received 11 medals during his military enlistment; the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously.

 

 

Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Mark A. Camp

In May of 2005, Marines stationed in Anbar province began a week-long hunt to root out insurgents and foreign fighters in the volatile areas around the Syrian border. Dubbed Operation Matador, those tasked with carrying out the mission encountered enemies who had dug in and were ready to fight: deadly roadside bombs, sniper attacks, and several well-planned ambushes.

One day after the operation began, then-Lance Cpl. Camp and his company were sent to New Ubaydi on a house-clearing mission. As Camp’s squad entered one of the houses, insurgents hiding in a closet and in an underground crawlspace opened fire, shooting four Marines. Camp, outside, heard the gunfight and immediately ran inside to help. Three separate times he entered and exited the building to recover his squad members and clear the house of insurgents.

On May 11, Camp was again tested. This time, his company was heading to another small town to clear other insurgent strongholds. Camp was standing at the top hatch of his amphibious assault vehicle when he noticed an eerie silence. Camp was instantly on alert – but that could not stop the roadside bomb that detonated at that moment, hitting the vehicle and throwing the man standing next to Camp into a nearby field.

Shrapnel dug into Camp’s right thigh, and the explosion lit his hands and face on fire. He was thrown back into the burning vehicle, and he began beating out the fires all over his body and head.

Then, Camp heard the call of one of his teammates still trapped inside. As he crawled back into the wreckage, heat was cooking off ammunition all around him, ammunition that ricocheted inside even as insurgents continued to fire from outside. And then there was another explosion. Camp fell back out of the vehicle, on fire once more. Again, he beat his body until the flames subsided.

His comrade was still in the vehicle. So Camp went back inside and tried to grip the Marine’s pack, his helmet – anything – but by then Camp’s skin was melting from his hands. Camp later told the Columbus Dispatch, “I [was] screaming for someone to help me . . . someone with fresh hands.” Finally, some Marines answered his calls, and pulled Camp and the other Marine free.

For his actions and bravery, Camp was awarded the Silver Star on May 15, 2006. Columbus

 

 

Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers

Lt. Col. Desgrosseilliers was the officer in charge of Task Force Bruno, which was operating in and around Fallujah, Iraq, from Dec. 12 to 23, 2004. He was leading a group of 60 to 100 men as they followed the main body of the battalion, sweeping the city. He received word on Dec. 12 that Marines were pinned down by enemy gunfire inside a building. With insurgents throwing down grenades from the second floor, Desgrosseilliers pressed on and helped the trapped Marines. His group continued similar operations in Fallujah for more than a week. On Dec. 23, he again led his battalion through a heavy gunfire battle against insurgent fighters. For his leadership and actions, Desgrosseilliers was awarded the Silver Star Medal on Jan. 23, 2006.

 

 

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Martin K. Richburg

Checking e-mail was never supposed to be this dangerous. On March 27, 2006, Staff Sgt. Richburg was talking to his wife on his cell phone outside an Internet café on a base in Iraq. As he sat there, he noticed a man approaching the café with a blue bag. Something about the situation seemed slightly off. Earlier that day, Richburg recalled, a suicide bomber had killed several civilians near the base’s gate. Richburg watched the man place the bag on top of the café’s air conditioner. Then the man turned and ran, but not fast enough to escape Richburg, who jumped out of his truck, chased the man down, and quickly learned that the bag held a bomb. Richburg managed to clear the building just before the bomb destroyed the entire café. Richburg’s actions saved the lives of 12 soldiers and five Iraqi civilians. In March 2006, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a “V” and has been nominated for a Bronze Star.

 

 

Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Sarun Sar

Master Sgt. Sar and his 12-man special operations team were sent to search for Taliban fighters in the snowy mountains of eastern Afghanistan on March 5, 2005. As their helicopters attempted to land outside an area suspected of sheltering insurgents, the group began to receive heavy automatic weapons fire from the direction of the village. Sar told his team to follow him as he started running toward the insurgents. Sar was out front alone as his team was temporarily pinned down. He continued to take enemy fire as he waited for his team to catch up to him. When they did, Sar and the team medic went after an insurgent hiding in a hut. As soon as he opened the door, the Taliban fighter fired three shots at Sar; the third shot hit Sar’s helmet but did not severely injure him. Sar killed the insurgent. The team continued to sweep the village and cleared the area of enemy fighters and rounded up a large cache of enemy weapons. On January 3, 2006, Sar was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

 

Army Col. James H. Coffman Jr.

Col. Coffman was a senior advisor to Iraqi Special Police commandos on Nov. 14, 2004, when he joined a commando quick reaction force (QRF) that was sent to help a platoon under attack in a Mosul, Iraq, police station. The terrorists hit the QRF with heavy fire upon arrival, killing or seriously injuring all but one of the commando officers. Coffman rallied the remaining forces to continue the fight, and radioed for more help. When a round shattered his shooting hand and damaged his rifle, Coffman bandaged up his hand and continued fighting with rifles he collected from the casualties piling up around him. Coffman and his team defended the station for four hours before help arrived. Coffman led the relief forces to his position and continued to fight, refusing medical evacuation until the battle was over. Once the threat was eliminated, 25 terrorists were killed and dozens were injured. For his actions and leadership, Coffman received the Distinguished Service Cross on Aug. 24, 2005.

 

Army Sgt. Maj. William J. Doherty

In April of 2005, then 1st Sgt. Doherty was part of an operation to detain a high profile member of an Iraqi insurgent group who was speaking in a public venue. When the suspect began to threaten Iraqi police and others with an active grenade, Sgt. Doherty directed coalition personnel to safety while placing himself between them and the enemy. He was wounded by the suspect’s grenade when it later exploded. Sgt. Doherty killed the insurgent who was reaching for a second grenade, and continued to command the operation until he was medically evacuated.

Sgt. Doherty was given the option to return home after his injuries, but chose to stay with his unit and recover in Iraq. He had participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and in two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has three Bronze Stars, two with Valor. Listen in to Army Sergeant Major William J. Doherty's interview on January 10, 2006.

 

 

Marine Corps Capt. Jason P. Schauble

In the pre-assault planning for Fallujah and Hit in the fall of 2004, Capt. Schauble coordinated all artillery fire and sniper operations. During the seizures of both Iraqi cities, Schauble’s team successfully engaged enemy targets. On Jan. 3, 2005, Schauble and his team were searching for a highvalue target when they came under heavy enemy fire. Schauble ran into a farmhouse to recover a fallen Marine, drawing fire from insurgents inside. Despite being shot and wounded, Schauble shot two insurgents, allowing his Marines to counter-attack. On Sept. 11, 2006, Schauble was awarded the Silver Star for his efforts at the farmhouse, the Bronze Star with a combat “V” for valor for his actions from Oct. 11-16, 2004, and the Meritorious Service Medal for his work with a new training unit.

 

 

Army Sgt. Maj. William J. Doherty

In April of 2005, then 1st Sgt. Doherty was part of an operation to detain a high profile member of an Iraqi insurgent group who was speaking in a public venue. When the suspect began to threaten Iraqi police and others with an active grenade, Sgt. Doherty directed coalition personnel to safety while placing himself between them and the enemy. He was wounded by the suspect’s grenade when it later exploded. Sgt. Doherty killed the insurgent who was reaching for a second grenade, and continued to command the operation until he was medically evacuated.

Sgt. Doherty was given the option to return home after his injuries, but chose to stay with his unit and recover in Iraq. He had participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and in two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has three Bronze Stars, two with Valor. Listen in to Army Sergeant Major William J. Doherty's interview on January 10, 2006.

 

 

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan P. Dementer

Petty Officer Dementer was assigned to a group of Marines near An Nasariyah, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his unit’s command headquarters on March 26, 2003. Wounded by shrapnel and dodging heavy enemy fire, Dementer moved to another part of the compound where a group of Marines were pinned down. He proceeded over a wall to reach six wounded Marines and provided life-saving emergency treatment. After Dementer stabilized them, he directed and helped move the wounded to the compound’s battle aid station. His actions led to the safe evacuation of 31 injured Marines.

Dementer was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” on Feb. 23, 2004.

 

 

MINNESOTA
Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Buhain

Staff Sgt. Buhain, a respiratory therapist, was activated as a medic and served in two combat zones from May 2004 to July 2005. Buhain was first sent to Iraq to treat the wounded. He spent a few months there, treating Coalition soldiers and insurgents alike. Buhain was then sent to Afghanistan in September to be the medical noncommissioned officer in charge of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team. During his time there, Buhain built from scratch a respiratory school for Afghan medical students and an ICU in a hospital in Kandahar. He also trained more than 350 medical students in CPR, and took part in more than 150 missions, several of which were high risk. For his efforts in both countries, Buhain was awarded the Bronze Star in March 10, 2005.

 

 

Navy Lt. Bryan Boudreaux

Lt. Bryan Boudreaux was serving as a manager at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Jan. 29, 2005, when insurgents fired a missile at the embassy. Boudreaux threw himself over a soldier who had been knocked to the ground to protect him from the debris and smoke that began filling the room. Boudreaux then gave first aid to a major, saving his life and his arms from amputation. Afterward, Boudreaux re-entered the embassy, helping others to safety and performing first aid when necessary. The blast killed two people and wounded seven others. During his deployment, Boudreaux expertly managed $18.6 billion that was appropriated by Congress to rebuild Iraq. For his service, Boudreaux received the Bronze Star Medal on Sept. 6, 2005.

 

 

Missouri Air National Guard Master Sgt. Letitia Whitaker

During her deployment at Kirkuk Air Base from March 28-July 10, 2003, Master Sgt. Whitaker helped establish the first air-control service in northern Iraq since 1990. The service supported about 4,800 combat actions, including covert operations, humanitarian airlifts and medical evacuations. She also supervised several covert flight operations using tactical radios and night vision goggles, and developed explosive-ordinance disposal procedures for the base. She co-authored airfield operating procedures for aero-medical evacuation of wounded coalition forces that resulted in the rapid evacuation of more than 86 critically wounded soldiers and airmen. In May 2006, Whitaker became the first woman in the Missouri Air National Guard’s history to receive the Bronze Star Medal.

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Abrahamson

Staff Sgt. Abrahamson was deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq to support counterinsurgent missions in the area. From Jan. 22 to June 5, 2006, Abrahamson assisted with several successful operations, including overseeing the safety and workload of 16,000 Coalition forces, multinational contractors and local Iraqis. During that time, Abrahamson managed more than 150 combat missions within a 68,000 square-mile area under the constant threat of insurgent attacks. These missions allowed Coalition forces to find and destroy deadly IEDs and weapons caches. While supporting one combat team, Abrahamson found and destroyed 70 IEDs placed along vital supply routes connecting cities in northern Iraq. For his work, Abrahamson received the Bronze Star on Jan. 24, 2007. Great Falls Tribune story.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Charity Lee Trueblood
Montana
Bronze Star
with "V" recipient

 

Former Air Force Airman 1st Class Charity Lee Trueblood

Airman Trueblood was driving an up-armored Humvee providing security to a group that was moving supplies on Dec. 5, 2005, when her convoy was attacked near Balad Air Base in Iraq. A driver indicated over the radio that he had been hit. Under fire, Trueblood moved her truck between the enemy fire and the other vehicles, which were not up-armored. The injured man pulled to the side of the road because his truck caught on fire. Trueblood drove up to the injured man’s vehicle, which was engulfed in flames. She performed first aid and helped to get him to a secure location for medical treatment.

Trueblood received the Bronze Star with Valor on Sept. 14, 2006.

 

 

Former Marine Corps. Sgt. Robert J. Mitchell, Jr.

Then-Cpl. Mitchell was involved in the same fight during the battle of Fallujah on Nov. 13, 2004, as Sgt. Maj. Kasal (see Iowa). Several wounded Marines were trapped inside an Iraqi home known as the “House of Hell” with numerous insurgents waiting to ambush the incoming troops. Mitchell organized his men to assault the building, charged, and quickly took firing positions. Mitchell sped through the kill zone, getting hit as he went. He killed an enemy fighter with his combat knife, and called in support through a small, barred window. With information supplied from Mitchell, the Marines suppressed the insurgents’ attack, and extracted the wounded Marines inside. Mitchell was one of the last to leave, despite being injured. On April 25, 2006, Mitchell was awarded the Navy Cross.

 

 

Nevada Spc. Ignacio Ramirez

Spc. Ramirez, a chemical specialist, was part of a brigade conducting operations around Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Aug. 9, 2006. The city is the capital of Al Anbar province, where support for the Sunni insurgency is strong. Ramirez was driving a Humvee in a seven-vehicle convoy when a homemade roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle, killing him and two other soldiers. For going above and beyond the call of duty and sacrificing his life for his fellow soldiers, on Sept. 7, 2006, Ramirez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, and the Honor of the Dragon, a unique award given to chemical specialists.

 

 

Former Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer 3 Karl Hannan

Warrant Officer Hannan was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, from February 2004 to January 2005 to serve as a maintenance technician with a unit that supported heavy trucks. During his time there, Hannan designed and manufactured a clip-on armor plating kit to protect soldiers traveling in the trucks. The armor plating is the only type of its kind in Iraq, allowing it to be clipped on rather than bolted to the body of the vehicles, which prevents it from damaging the vehicles. At their peak, his team could up-armor 254 trucks a day. He also made engineering prints for other types of trucks and trained others how to weld, manufacture and read the blueprints for the armor. Hannan was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work in January 2005.

 

 

Air Force 1st Lt. Brian Lomax

Lt. Lomax was serving as an antiterrorism/force protection officer at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on the eve of the Iraqi national elections. On January 29, 2005, insurgents fired a missile at the embassy, hitting Lomax’s office. The room began filling with smoke and debris, some of which hit Lomax’s forehead. Lomax instantly got to work, assessing the damage and pulling injured people out from under the rubble. After clearing the room, Lomax accounted for everyone and helped secure the building. During his six-month deployment, Lomax handled $5.2 million worth of security projects and oversaw a multi-million dollar contract which provided personal security detail movements, site security, and intelligence dissemination throughout Iraq. For his work in Iraq, Lomax was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

 

 

Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilzcek

Spc. Jose Alvarez

Spc. Gregory Pushkin

Sgt. Michael Row

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.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Lynn

Chief Master Sgt. Lynn helped establish the first military police academy in Iraq during his deployment from Feb. 28 to July 23, 2004. Chief Lynn and 13 Air Force security forces members renovated a bombed-out former Republican Guard base in Taji, Iraq, into the site for the new police academy. Lynn served as commandant of the school. Starting from scratch, they developed and implemented a course for the academy in just nine days. In all, Lynn and his team are credited with having graduated more than 500 military policemen and 40 military police instructors.

For his work, Lynn received the Bronze Star Medal on Dec. 14, 2004.

 

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