Tag Archive for 'hero'

Paratroopers stood at attention at Caserma Ederle's post theater as Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, commander of U.S. Army Africa, fastened the Silver Star to Staff Sgt. Matthew Matlock's uniform. - U.S. Army photo by Barabara Romano

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. [...]

Maj. Danny Strelkauskas, currently the commanding officer of Force Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pins the Navy Cross on Gunnery Sgt. John S. Mosser, during a ceremony at Recon Point in Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18. Mosser was awarded the Navy Cross by Strelkauskas, who was Mosser

Then-SSgt. Mosser’s patrol came under heavy fire while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol under the cover of darkness to apprehend a high value target and an enemy security element. The terrain was restrictive and mountainous with large boulders and rugged terrain along the route.

The team came upon a white sport utility vehicle off to the side of the road and a red pick up truck blocking the path. Mosser’s team dismounted from their ground mobility vehicles, and immediately came under heavy machine gun fire from elevated positions cutting off forward and rear movement.

Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton awarded Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan

When Norton realized that two Rangers had not gotten up and were still exposed to the heavy volume of enemy fire from the high ground to the east and west, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Norton turned around and with marked distinction, purposefully charged back into the interlocking fire of the enemy ambush kill zone in order to recover his downed Rangers.

Milton, Fla, native, Maj. Richard D. Joyce (left), an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 40, Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan, received the Distinguished Flying Cross with combat distinguished device for his heroic actions in support of ground troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom March 2007. Joyce's former commander, Army Col. Clayton M. Hutmacher, commanding officer of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), flew to Afghanistan to present the award to the Florida State University alumni.

“He remained in contact after his wingman’s aircraft was damaged by hostile fire and conducted numerous close engagements against multiple vehicle mounted air defense artillery systems,” according to the award citation signed by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Conway.

Jared Monti - Medal of Honor awardee

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jared C. Monti, a Military Occupational Specialty 13F Fire Support Specialist, was a Targeting NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. He distinguished himself by acts of conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty against an armed enemy in Gowardesh, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

Army Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye stands before fellow soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony in Vicenza, Italy, June 30, 2009. Begaye was awarded the Silver Star for his valorous actions during an enemy ambush Nov. 9, 2007, in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo

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.”

Staff Sgt. Logan Cortes, combat skills training instructor, Combat Skills Training School, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, displays the Bronze Star he received at Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 25, for his actions during Operation Steel Curtain. During an attack to clear houses in New Ubaydi, Cortes' platoon moved in to clear a small single-story building and was engaged by an enemy ambush. Cortes, 33, from Stockton, Calif., left his position three times, running through enemy fire to save two Marines and retrieve ammo for his machine gunner. Cortes is currently an instructor with the 1st MLG Combat Skills Training School at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Even though he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions, he still thinks about the Marines who were there with him that day.

“I don’t think I deserve a Bronze Star for my actions out there,” Cortes said. “I wasn’t the only person out there. There were the other Marines covering me when I went out to recover those guys.”

Staff Sgt. Philip Crosby

Col. Douglas Thomas, the commanding officer of 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents a Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device to Staff Sgt. Philip Crosby, June 10. Crosby earned the award for heroism shown while serving as the assistant effects advisor for Military Transition Team 133, Multi-National Force West from November 2007 to October 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“He stepped up to the occasion, and exhibited some incredible bravery that day,” said Lt. Col. John John Orille, who worked with Crosby in Iraq. “He intuitively thinks on his feet and executes with confidence. His judgment is spot-on at the snap of a finger. No matter what you throw at him, he’s able to assess the situation and take action.”

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Hutchinson’s actions were without a doubt the primary disruptor of the enemy actions that day. His actions contributed to the safety of 17 Soldiers and showed extraordinary courage, loyalty and selfless service under fire.