America's North Shore Journal

Bronze Star with V Device [2]

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MNF-I
Sgt. Daniel D. Blottenberger

Two Soldiers assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 92nd Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, were awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for Valor Jan. 1 for their actions in combat during an attack on their convoy in July 2007 in Talil, Iraq.

Siloam Springs, Ark., native Spc. Christopher Dabbs, a military police Soldier with 64th Military Police Company from Fort Hood, Texas, and Melrose Park, Ill., native Pfc. Perla Pedroza, a military police Soldier for 64th MP Co., both acted without hesitation to aid a fellow Soldier when their vehicle came under attack by an explosively formed projectile.

The team was two months in country and was providing security for three supply convoys that were following them when their truck was hit by the EFP.

“At that point we did what we were trained to do and we did it fast,” said Pedroza, who leapt from the turret once the vehicle came to a halt on the ground.

The gunner; Pedroza, jumped from the truck once she noticed the vehicle had caught fire from the attack.

Dabbs, the driver of the attacked vehicle; at the time, also was forced to rush out of the vehicle.

“I took a deep breath and pushed the door open and jumped out. I don’t remember much – instinct took over,” said Dabbs, who was driving the vehicle, explaining how he escaped after the vehicle caught fire.

Prior to escaping from the vehicle himself, Dabbs called to his team leader and realized that he was badly wounded and would not be able to escape on his own.

After their team leader began yelling for help, Pedroza and Dabbs moved into rescue him.

“I didn’t think about myself I just thought about him,” said Pedroza, who ignored her own injuries at the time to aid her wounded comrade. “I didn’t even know I was hit until after, I didn’t feel anything.”

Quick reactions and proper medical aid saved their severely injured teammate.

Dabbs and Pedroza reacted by pulling their team leader from the burning vehicle and administering first aid too his injuries before he was evacuated by helicopter for further treatment.

The two Soldiers accredited their quick reactions to constant training they went through with their squad.

“We trained so much that when we had to do it we just did it,” said Pedroza. “reaction just set it as soon as it happened.”

Along with training, they explained team work saved their comrades life.

“Teamwork pulled him out of that vehicle and saved his life,” said Pedroza.