Courtesy Photo | Col. Paul T. Calvert, left, commander of 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade,...... read more read more
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Story by: 1st Lt. Crystal Sklodowski and Spc. Molleigh Crotty
BAGHDAD–Fifteen soldiers with “Griffin” Special Troops Battalion, 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center received combat badges during a ceremony May 16 at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
Eleven Combat Action Badges, three Combat Infantryman Badges, and one Combat Medical Badge were presented to soldiers by the brigade commander.
“The Dagger Brigade is celebrating its 94th birthday this year, and the actions of these outstanding soldiers are attributed to the professionalism and valor of the Dagger spirit,” said Col. Paul T. Calvert, commander of 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and an Athens, Ga., native.
Earlier this month, the Griffin Battalion’s Personnel Security Detachment platoon was traveling through Baghdad for a key leader meeting when an Improvised Explosive Device hit one of their vehicles.
“I remember scanning the area of operations for threats, when out of nowhere the [vehicle] was shaking,” said Spc. Jacob Honaker, a soldier with the PSD and a St. Louis native. “It is a frightening experience to look back on, but during the event I had so much adrenaline pumping that I was just reacting to the event.”
Honaker was in the same vehicle as the PSD medic.
“My first instinct was to get Spc. Honaker into the [vehicle] and once he was in cover, look him over for injuries,” said Spc. Brian Goodell, the PSD medic with STB and a Livonia, Mich., native. “I feel honored [to receive] the Combat Medical Badge, however, I was just doing what the Army pays me to do—take care of soldiers.”
The battalion chaplain was also part of the convoy.
"I believe God protected our lives when that IED detonated,” said Capt. Jason Palmer, chaplain with STB and a High Springs, Fla., native.
One soldier was on his very first mission and had just deployed to Iraq about a week prior.
“My platoon has gone on over 50 missions with no incidents before I got there,” said Spc. Steven Lugo, a PSD soldier with STB and New York native.
“I was proud to stand next to my soldiers as we received our Combat Action Badges together,” said Lt. Col. Shilisa Geter, commander of STB and a McRae, Ga., native. “Every single one of the soldiers earned their badges. I was impressed by their flawless movements during the incident, their professional conduct and calm reactions.”
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2011 00:59 |
| Story ID: | 70923 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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