Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Amanda Baca, a military police non-commissioned officer with 212th Dragoon...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Crystal Sklodowski
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
BAGHDAD — A Purple Heart is a meritorious and honorable award that is respected by many — but desired by few. One soldier who received that award is back in the country where she earned it, serving her country again.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, Sgt. Amanda Baca, a military police noncommissioned officer currently serving with the 212th “Dragoon” Military Police Company, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Douglas, Wis., native, was severely injured by an explosively formed projectile attack and awarded a Purple Heart.
On the day of the attack, Baca, a wife and mother of two young boys, was serving as the lead gunner in a convoy.
“We were on our way back from [a] mission and as we drove by a particular site, I remembered some suspicious commotion that occurred ahead of our convoy,” Baca said. “I turned the turret to look in the direction of the earlier commotion and not even two seconds later the turret was hit with an EFP.”
The EFP hit directly in front of Baca and blew debris into her face, damaging her face, sight and hearing.
“Immediately following the attack, I was in shock and did not realize the severity of my injuries,” Baca said. “Our convoy then came in contact with small arms fire. As the gunner, I remember charging my machine gun and aiming at the insurgents in the alleyway as we waited for the quick reaction force.”
Once the quick reaction force showed up, Baca was examined for injuries. Her injuries included damaged ear drums, mild traumatic brain injury and lacerations to the face. She was evacuated to Camp Echo, Iraq, and received treatment for her injuries.
“My ears were bleeding and I could not hear anything that was going on around me,” Baca said. “It was months before I could hear from my left ear again. My hearing has never fully recovered from the incident.”
Baca was awarded with a Purple Heart for her bravery and personal sacrifice on the battlefield.
Baca is currently on her second deployment to Iraq, working in the law-and-order platoon stationed at Camp Taji. She is responsible for monitoring dispatches, supervising Soldiers and patrolling the road.
“I am involved in steady operations during this deployment monitoring movement and dispatches, but my past experiences remind me every day how precious life is,” Baca said. “Death can visit us any day of the week, so it is important to love life and live every moment like it’s your last.”
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2011 08:16 |
| Story ID: | 72329 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 270 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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