MP range dedication, Fort Leonard Wood

Photo By Keith Burkhart | The U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regiment dedicated Range 21, MP Pistol Qualification Range, on Sept. 13, in memory of Sergeant Sean R. Grilley for demonstrating actions above and beyond the call of duty on Oct. 16, 2003, in Iraq, and throughout his life. Pictured left to right: Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Albaugh, Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Luciana Grilley, Susan Tyjewski, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Kirkland.  

FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES

09.13.2011

Story by Marti Yoshida 

Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- The U.S. Army military police corps regiment held a range dedication ceremony here, Sept. 13, 2011. The MP Pistol Qualification Range 21 is dedicated to Sgt. Sean R. Grilley, who was 24-years-old when he was killed in action in Iraq, Oct. 16, 2003.

Brig. Gen. David Phillips, U.S. Army Military Police School commandant said, “In years past, ranges were named after many things, but usually battles.

“We think that the range where young soldiers will follow in Sergeant Grilley’s footsteps, train and qualify ought to be named after a real person, a real hero, someone of their generation.

“We’ve had many, many, military police heroes in the past ten years, but in this past year, Sergeant Grilley’s story, and his valorous efforts, have caused him to stand out.

“When young soldiers leave their family and come to training, they will walk past this memorial, they will see one of their own, and take this training seriously because they know those who have come before them have paid some very serious dues and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.

“I am humbled as the commandant to be able to preside over this ceremony—nothing is more important than recognizing those heroes that have served with us.”

Grilley entered the U.S. Army in Jan. 2001, and attend One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood. In 2003, Grilley graduated from the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and although he could have left Fort Campbell, Tenn., to attend Special Forces school, he chose to remain and deploy to Iraq with his platoon. Grilley distinguished himself with an exceptional display of valor above and beyond the call of duty during a fierce firefight. Grilley entered the zone of the firefight to recover a wounded comrade. Just as he had positioned the wounded soldier behind cover, Grilley was shot and killed. For his actions, Grilley was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, and the Purple Heart medal.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2011
• Date Posted: 09.19.2011 09:21
• Story ID: 77236
• Location: FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US