Photo By Sgt. Serena Hayden | Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Serena Hayden
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Gathered in formation, Soldiers from the 1-12th Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stood tall and proud at their patrol base in Baqubah, Iraq, Aug. 4, reflecting on past experiences during their first 10 months of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2008.
Day in and day out, the Soldiers have worked to bring security to the people of Diyala province, going places no man should ever have to go, seeing things no man should ever have to see.
Living in austere environments for the duration of their deployment, 18 "Grey Wolf" Soldiers gathered with their brothers-in-arms from the "Charger" Battalion to be recognized for past achievements – achievements of valorous and heroic acts that caused them to put their lives at risk to save others.
"Because of your actions, because of your discipline, because of the valor of the individuals and non-commissioned officers, we have been able to make a difference," Col. David W. Sutherland, brigade commander, said as he spoke to the group of Soldiers.
"These Soldiers with valor awards represent every Soldier in our formations," Sutherland said, "because I know that valor is taking place every day."
The Chargers recognized were 1st Sgt. Ronald Ramsdell, who received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor for actions under fire Feb. 2: dismounting his vehicle, getting his Soldiers out of danger and continuing recovery operations for a previous incident.
The other 17 Soldiers, Sgt. Darrel Buck, Staff Sgt. Coy Embry, Staff Sgt. Peter Wallat, Cpl. William McGrath, Spc. Cory Barton, Pvt. Jason Meyers, Sgt. David Kukla, Sgt. David Kudlo, 1st Lt. Shannon Meehan, Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Roberts, Sgt. Brandon Duvall, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Cenicerois, Sgt. Gabriel Mihuta, Staff Sgt. Dennis Wilson, Spc. Orlando Garcia, Spc. Christopher Jankowski and Spc. Stephen Devries were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for several acts throughout the deployment.
Their acts of heroism include disregarding personal safety and exposing themselves to the enemy by trying to open a Bradley driver's hatch submerged in 40 degree water that was contaminated by diesel and oil; destroying a significant number of terrorists while engaged in a high-intensity firefight located within close proximity of fighting positions; placing themselves at danger to save their Iraqi army counterparts and kill a significant enemy force; and exposing themselves to the enemy in order to save their fellow buddies while medics performed first aid.
"Whether it's the Soldier monitoring the radio, the driver in the tank, the Bradley commander or the rifleman on the ground – there is valor every day and it's making a difference," Sutherland continued. "It is making a difference every day for the 1.6 million people in Diyala, it is making a difference for the children who will be serving 15 years from now, and it is making a difference for your buddy on your left and your right."
"There are a lot of people who might wonder how the American Soldier might stand up to a prolonged engagement, a prolonged conflict," said Command Sgt. Maj. Donald R. Felt, brigade command sergeant major. "I will tell you that it is Soldiers like you who have removed that doubt from anybody that might have ever had it."
"You have demonstrated valor and you make me very proud," Felt said.
"There is greatness in this formation and it manifests itself every day in your actions," Sutherland said. "Your actions don't go unnoticed. Your actions are having a reverberating affect all across Iraq."
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2007 07:31 |
| Story ID: | 11671 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 392 |
| Downloads: | 242 |
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