Photo By Brian Godette | Former Army Sgt. Kyle White, who is scheduled to receive the Medal of Honor next...... read more read more
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Kyle Jerome White, the former Army sergeant who has been announced as the U.S. Army’s next Medal of Honor recipient, met with North Carolina leaders and reporters April 23 to tell the story of his unit’s enemy ambush and share the experience of his nomination for the nation’s highest military honor.
White, now a Charlotte resident who left active duty service in 2011, hosted the press conference at the North Carolina National Guard’s Charlotte armory with the support of local Soldiers and North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who was in attendance.
With the United States, North Carolina and Department of the Army flags in his background, White delivered a statement of gratitude and appreciation for his nomination, and began his story.
On Nov. 9, 2007, as a member of 1st Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, White and his patrol unit were ambushed near a village in Aranas, Afghanistan – an attack which took the lives of six service members on patrol that day.
“Although they are gone, they will not be forgotten. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of so many others, is what motivates me to wake up each and every day,” White said in a calm and sober voice.
All eyes in the silent room were fixated on White as he depicted the events from the day White described as “the worst day” in his life.
White, who enlisted in the Army in 2006 as an infantryman, returned fire during the ambush before he was knocked unconscious by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade detonation. Upon awakening, an enemy round fragmented near his head and sent shrapnel into his face. Separated from the rest of their patrol unit, White and a small team were under continuous small-arms fire. White relayed a situation report to the unit’s element that was forced to take cover down a cliff.
“I reverted back to my training. I didn’t do anything that other Soldiers wouldn’t have done,” White said.
When White saw that Spc. Kain Schilling had been shot in the arm, he moved him to a concealed area and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
White realized his radio had been hit and was not operational. White then noticed that another battle buddy, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks, was badly wounded in the open, and sprinted 10 meters to Bocks with enemy rounds ricocheting around him. While attempting to drag Bocks to concealment, White noticed enemy fire was concentrated on him, which further endangered Bocks. White proceeded to draw the fire away by running for concealment and sprinting back for Bocks. White did this sprint-and-drag several times before getting Bocks to concealment and applying first aid.
Bocks eventually succumbed to his wounds, as did White’s platoon leader, 1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, who White had crawled to under open fire.
“Everything I do in my life now, is to make them proud,” he said.
White had to maintain his calm. He applied another tourniquet to Schilling with his own belt after noticing Schilling was hit again by enemy fire in the leg. He managed to find Bocks’ working radio and establish radio communication with his higher headquarters, allowing them to introduce artillery, air strikes and mortars into the fight.
“At any given moment, I can close my eyes and be in the ambush that day. I can still hear the sounds, and smell the gun powder in the air,” White said.
White was able to direct a medical evacuation, mark the landing zone and help a flight medic hoist wounded Soldiers into the helicopter. After more than four hours, the attack on White’s patrol ended with the loss of six American lives and many wounded.
According to the U.S. Army, then-Spc. Kyle White exhibited extraordinary personal bravery distinguishing himself above his comrades. He took charge of his element, arranged security and provided critical aid to wounded Soldiers in terrain with little cover or concealment.
“I’m honored to be receiving the Medal of Honor. It’s been a surreal experience so far, and I have received a lot of support. It’s a humbling experience,” White said.
A little levity came into the room when a reporter asked about White’s call from the White House, and his conversation with the president.
“It was a short conversation,” White smiled. “He told me he approved of my nomination, and we talked about family and Charlotte, and all I could get out was, 'Thank you Mr. President, thank you Mr. President, thank you Mr. President.'”
White is scheduled to receive the award from President Barack Obama during a ceremony May 13 at the White House.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2014 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 127609 |
| Location: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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