Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, awarded Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Action Badge

Photo By Sgt. Brandon Le Flore | Lt. Col. Doug Cardinale, commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pins the Combat Action Badge on Spc. Justin Orf, infantryman with the 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., during an award ceremony at Camp Wessam, May 23. Orf was one of three Soldiers from the battalion whose vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device on a combat patrol in Basra, Iraq.  

BASRA, IRAQ

05.28.2009

Story by Sgt. Brandon Le Flore 

Multi-National Division-South

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — "These Soldiers had the misfortune of getting hit by an [improvised explosive device], but they were fortunate in that no one was injured," said Lt. Col. Doug Cardinale, commander, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a Combat Infantryman Badge and Combat Action Badge Ceremony at Camp Wessam, May 23.

Three Soldiers from the battalion were hit by an IED while on a combat patrol in Basra May 7. Fortunately, all Soldiers survived the blast with no injuries.

Our survival in the blast is a testament to the safety of our vehicles, said 1st Lt. John Crumpacker, an Excelsior Springs, Mo., native and mortar platoon leader with the 2nd Bn. "The [Humvee] does its job and the Army is always working to make a safe and reliable vehicle," he added.

Along with Crumpacker, two other Soldiers from the battalion were in the vehicle when the IED detonated. They were Spc. Justin Orf and Pfc. Matthew Campos, both of Mortar Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

"The blast was completely unexpected and it was over as quickly as it had started," said Orf, a Bowling Green, Mo., native and infantryman with the mortar platoon.

Orf said he was in the turret of the Humvee and when he heard the blast he quickly checked to make sure he was alright. He then checked to make sure everyone else in the vehicle was okay.

"The vehicle took all of the impact. We only had two flat tires," Orf added.

Both Crumpacker and Campos were awarded the CAB, while Orf received the CIB.

The CIB has been a very distinguished award among infantryman since its establishment during World War II. Its purpose is simple: to enhance the morale and prestige of the "Queen of Battle."

According to the Army Regulation on military awards, for a Soldier to receive a CIB at least three special conditions must occur: The Soldier must be an Infantryman or Special Forces Soldier, the recipient must be physically present and under hostile fire while serving as an assigned special forces or infantry Soldier and the Soldier must be actively engaged in ground combat.

I'm proud to have a CIB. It's one of the more celebrated achievements in the infantry, said Orf. "I'm just really glad no one got hurt," he added.

The requirements for the CAB are similar to those of the CIB, except for one stipulation. The CAB does not require an infantry or special forces military occupational specialty.

"It's an honor to receive a Combat Action Badge from Lt. Col. Cardinale," said Curmpacker. "But it was just one IED. There are many other people that are more deserving," he added humbly.

• Date Taken: 05.28.2009
• Date Posted: 05.28.2009 07:01
• Story ID: 34206
• Location: BASRA, IQ