
Hundreds of maroon-bereted Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team gathered Nov. 30 to honor Staff Sgt. Matthew Matlock, a noncommissioned officer from Company C, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment for actions he took under fire to save Soldiers in Afghanistan.
Paratroopers stood at attention at Caserma Ederle’s post theater as Maj. Gen. William B. [...]
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Tags: 503rd Infantry Regiment, hero, Paktika Province Afghanistan, silver star, Staff Sgt. Matthew Matlock, Zerok district
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Garrett spoke of the “warrior ethos” that guides soldiers: place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, and never leave a fallen comrade.
“These are just words to some people,” Garrett said. “But the warrior ethos is a way of life to Staff Sergeant Begaye. Amazing acts of bravery and valor were commonplace that grim day. But this morning, we recognize Staff Sergeant Begaye for his courage – and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve with such a man.”
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Tags: 503rd Infantry Regiment, American Indian war hero, hero, Native American war hero, Navajo war hero, Nuristan province Afghanistan, purple heart, silver star, Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye
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During the battle that followed, Bergstad was knocked out of his turret three times by enemy fire. The first time his truck was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. The second time he was shot through the right biceps by an armor-piercing incendiary round. Bergstad was thrown from his vehicle a third time when his vehicle was again struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Each time he fought his way back into the turret to continue engaging the enemy.
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Tags: 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 503rd Infantry Regiment, Afghanistan, hero, silver star, Spc. Dillon Bergstad
Posted in Afghanistan, Heroes, Military, WOT Heroes, War on Terror • 1 Comment »