Task Force Baghdad Medic Receives Bronze Star

Courtesy Photo | CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Brig. Gen. Mark E. O'Neill, left, who is the assistant division commander for support for the 3rd Infantry Division, pins the Bronze Medal, with device, on Sgt. Eric G. Sullivan, a combat medic with the 550th Area Support Medical Company, Brigade Troops Battalion, Division Support Brigade, in a ceremony August 11. Sullivan, who is from Tampa, Fl., was awarded the medal for courage under fire and saving 11 Iraqi Civilian lives during an ambush April 20.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.15.2005

Courtesy Story

3rd Infantry Division

Division Support Brigade PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- A Soldier assigned to the Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division received a Bronze Star, Aug. 11, at the DSB Ministry Center.

Sgt. Eric G. Sullivan, a combat medic with the 550th Area Support Medical Company, Brigade Troops Battalion, DSB, was awarded the medal by Brig. Gen. Mark E. O'Neill, the assistant division commander for support for the 3rd Inf. Div.

"Someone once said, the difference between being courageous and not being courageous is the last decision you make," said O'Neill, after pinning the medal on Sullivan. "When you're in a really tough spot, and you're scared, and there are a lot of things going on around you, those decisions can be very, very clear or they can be very muddled.

"We are all very fortunate to have leaders, noncommissioned officers of the caliber of Sgt. Sullivan who, in that moment when they had to make that one decision, they were very clear about what they needed to do."

Sullivan, from Tampa, Fla., was honored for his actions, April 20, during an attack on the convoy he was supporting.

A vehicle in the convoy was hit by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, said Capt. Kenneth A. Hoisington, the adjutant for BTB. Sullivan's vehicle pulled alongside the burning Heavy Equipment Transporter and checked to see if the vehicle had been evacuated. Fortunately, the truck was empty. However, the convoy was unable to move out of the area while engaged in a terrorist cross-fire. Heroically, Sullivan and his fellow soldiers dismounted and returned fire, Hoisington said.

During the engagement, Sullivan spent two magazines of ammunition defending his fellow Soldiers before noticing multiple Iraqi civilian casualties wounded during the attack.

Sullivan immediately designated a casualty collection point and started directing soldiers to collect the casualties, said Hoisington. He then decisively directed combat life savers and other Soldiers, and began to triage the casualties.

Because of his quick thinking, ability to remain calm under fire and knowledgeable treatment, 11 of the 14 casualties survived, said Hoisington.

Sullivan then helped evacuate the casualties to Camp Liberty where he continued to direct the patient carrying vehicles to various treatment facilities, effectively managing resources, said Hoisington.

After the ceremony, Sullivan modestly deferred honor to the 3rd Battalion, 117th Field Artillery Regiment, Alabama Army National Guard, for their force protection support during the ambush.

"Everybody in the Army is a warrior and a member of a team," said Sullivan.

"I think we'd all agree that if we were going outside the wire, we'd want you with us," said O'Neill.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2005
• Date Posted: 08.15.2005 14:57
• Story ID: 2721
• Location: TAJI, IQ