Stryker Soldiers receive awards

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Barry Huggins, commander of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, out of Fort Lewis, Wash., speaks to Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company Nov. 7 after a ceremony in which HHC Soldiers were recognized for combat actions in Mosul.  

11.07.2006

Courtesy Story

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

by Sgt. Antonieta Rico
5th Mobile Public Affairs Det. (Forward)

Mosul, Iraq--- Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Stryker Brigade, were recognized for their combat actions Nov. 7 during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Marez.

One Soldier received the Purple Heart medal and 24 other Soldiers received the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Two Soldiers received the Combat Medical Badge and one received the Combat Action Badge. All Soldiers are with Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Sgt. Timothy Antinick received the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker vehicle in August. He was treated and returned to duty after the incident.

One of the Soldiers recognized during the ceremony said he comes from a family with a history of service in the infantry.

"For me it's one of my goals, both of my grandparents received them," said Spec. Michael Lesner, who received the CIB. Lesner is a native of San Diego, Calif., and a senior scout observer with the scout platoon in 2-3 Inf. Reg., 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and 2nd Infantry Division.

Lesner earned the CIB for his role in two different firefights in Mosul as well as combat action when his patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device in a separate incident, he said.

Lesner said getting the CIB earns him respect from his elders, who know the meaning behind the badge. The CIB recognizes and rewards the historically disproportionate danger faced by Soldiers with the military occupational specialty of 11B—infantry. Only infantry Soldiers in the rank of colonel or below who are actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy are eligible for the CIB.

"As an infantry man, your goal is to earn that badge," Lesner said, "It motivates us for our next adventure."

The CMB is given to Army medics assigned or attached to an infantry unit who are present and under fire while the unit is engaged in active ground combat.

The CAB is given to Soldiers, regardless of MOS, who are actively engaged in combat, or are engaged by the enemy, during operations.

Two other Soldiers were also promoted during the ceremony.

The following Soldiers also received the CIB; Capt. Stephen Phillips, 1st Lt. Blake Hall, 1st Lt. Christopher Izenour, Cpl. Jason Funaro, Spc. Jose Alvarez, Spc. Lance Holtgeerts, Spc. Erickson Hooper, Spc. Phillip Hoss, Spc. Ryan Humphries, Spc. Michael Kelley, Spc. Jonathon Martin, Spc. Garrett Meadows, Spc. Clifford Mills, Spc. Dwayne Smith and Spc. Jeremy Woodard. Also, Pfc. Matthew Attalai, Pfc. Jack McClernon, Pfc. Julian Mejiapalaez, Pfc. Joseph Tourand, Pvt. Andrew Bosko, Pvt. Brandon Kintop, Pvt. Jeremy Pittman, Pvt. Todd Tasco.

Spc. Jason Berg and Spc. Stephen Lagat received the CMB and 1st Lt. Martin Lee received the CAB.

• Date Taken: 11.07.2006
• Date Posted: 11.15.2006 08:24
• Story ID: 8278