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

Even as Army Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye relived the firefight that took the lives of his fellow soldiers, and even as he was awarded the military’s third-highest honor for valor yesterday, his thoughts were on his comrades.

Begaye, a Navajo from Black Canyon City, Ariz., said he wants the story of his actions in Afghanistan to help younger soldiers understand the importance of training, leadership and motivation. For troops eager to see combat, he said, he hopes his story instills a sense of the reality of war.

“It should open their eyes. A firefight is a life-altering experience – one that I’m still living through,” Begaye said following a June 30 ceremony here in which he received the Silver Star. “Soldiers should understand … this is real life, and people do die.”

On Nov. 9, 2007, Begaye, an Airborne Ranger with the 503rd Infantry Regiment’s 2nd Battalion, was part of a unit that had just met with local leaders in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province. They were hiking along rugged terrain when his squad, his platoon’s headquarters sections and a squad of Afghan soldiers began taking fire from enemy positions above.

Pinned down at first, Begaye was struck in the arm while returning fire and directing his men. Begaye bounded over a cliff, calling to his troops to follow him down the rocky slope to find cover.

Keeping his composure against overwhelming odds, Begaye directed and encouraged his fellow soldiers under heavy fire. One paratrooper had been shot in both legs and was still taking fire. Begaye called out to him to play dead, knowing the enemy would shift their fire away if they thought the soldier was killed — quick thinking that likely helped to save that soldier’s life.

Ignoring his own injuries, Begaye moved a wounded soldier to a nearby cave to protect him from enemy fire. Using a radio, he called his higher headquarters and directed mortar fire onto enemy positions – essentially ending the battle. Then he motivated a soldier to organize a defensive perimeter of Afghan soldiers to prevent their unit from being harassed or overrun.

Twenty-one months later, with his comrades standing quietly on the parade ground behind him, Begaye listened as Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, commander of U.S. Army Africa, spoke here, where Begaye began his service 10 years ago.

“Today, we honor a noncommissioned officer whose bold actions turned the tide of battle and saved the day, … [and] whose courage under fire and fierce loyalty to his men still astounds us all,” Garrett said. “Outnumbered, wounded, and initially pinned down in the kill zone of an enemy ambush — he didn’t hesitate to leap forward, literally, and take charge of the fight.”

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.”

After the ceremony, Begaye’s wife, Air Force Staff Sgt. Idellia Beletso, a flight medic based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, hugged her husband. Hundreds of red-bereted paratroopers lined up to shake Begaye’s hand, many of whom served with him in combat.

“There are people who have passed on that deserve this,” said Begaye, who served three combat tours. “There were five men who died. I’ll accept and wear it in honor of them, not for my actions, but for theirs.”

Begaye said he would have preferred a simple handshake or a pat on the back. After all, he said, infantrymen don’t fight for medals, they fight for each other. That’s why Begaye felt grateful to have soldiers from his unit, Chosen Company, behind him on the parade field during the ceremony.

“What happened there is something I think about every day,” Begaye said. “It’s not easy to forget about.”

DoD
By Army Capt. Joseph Sanfilippo
Special to American Forces Press Service

The last time Sgt. Christopher A. Burrell was in Iraq he was pulled from a burning vehicle in Sadr City, a neighborhood in Baghdad. A tourniquet applied by another Soldier saved his life, but a nurse here at the Air Force Theater Hospital had to break the tragic news—his left leg was gone, taken by an explosively formed projectile.

Now, almost a year and a half later, and after months of rehabilitation and physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Burrell returned to Iraq with five other amputee combat veterans as part of Operation Proper Exit.

“I don’t remember much, but I remember my nurse,” Burrell said, remembering the incident, which occurred December 2007. “Shelly. She was an angel, there to comfort me when I was in a difficult spot.”

Operation Proper Exit, a pilot program sponsored by the Army and the Troops First Foundation target=”_blank” through the United Service Organizations, allows Soldiers wounded in combat to return to Iraq. The goal of the program is to give these Soldiers an opportunity for closure, and to see the progress made in securing and stabilizing the country, Burrell said.

“It kind of helps you heal mentally and emotionally, to close that chapter in your life so you can move on,” he said. “The progress that’s been made—it shows that we made a sacrifice but it was for a reason.”

The six amputee combat veterans, who were accompanied by civilians with the Troops First Foundation, toured the Air Force Theater Hospital here, speaking with medical personnel. Most of the Soldiers received some kind of treatment at the hospital before they moved to Germany for further medical care.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jamal Hogan, a nurse, said he remembered providing medical care for two of the Soldiers himself during a previous deployment in 2007.

“It’s awesome,” he said with a smile, hugging one of his former patients. “To know that people made it—he’s alive, walking around. That means a lot to me.”

Following the hospital tour, the veterans participated in a town hall-style meeting, which began with a standing ovation by approximately 200 Soldiers at a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facility at JBB.

After telling the audience their own personal war stories, the veterans fielded questions ranging from how they dealt with physical recovery to post traumatic stress disorder to their long-term goals.

Sgt. Robert Brown, who lost his right leg to sniper fire in September 2006 in Ramadi, Iraq, said he was training to qualify for the U.S. rowing team at the 2012 London Paralympics games.

Nearing the end of the meeting, a young Soldier stood up and asked them, with everything they’ve experienced, if they would be willing to return for another tour in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Every one of the Soldiers nodded.

“Sure, we’d go back,” one of them said. “We’re here with you right now, aren’t we?”

MNF-I

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson, a machine gunner with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in from of the battalion at perfect parade rest, despite the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Gustafson received the Navy Cross and a meritorious promotion to corporal during a ceremony March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey Grey Field. Photo by Pfc. Michael T. Gams

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson’s parents describe him as “reserved, loyal, stubborn and determined.”
This was proven in action July 21, 2008.

His loyalty to his fellow Marines, his stubborn nature when he refused medical treatment and his determination under enemy fire as a machine gunner with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment earned him the Navy Cross, and a place among the ranks of such Marine Corps legends as Lewis ‘Chesty’ Puller, Daniel ‘Dan’ Daly and John Basilone.

He received this medal, the highest awarded by the Navy, for his deployment to Afghanistan is support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Navy Cross was pinned on his chest by Lt. Col. John M. Reed, the commanding officer of 2/7, and meritorious corporal chevrons to his collar by Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser and Sgt. Maj. Randall Carter, the commanding general and sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, at a ceremony held March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Grey Field. The ceremony included speeches from his former and current commanding officers.

Gustafson accepted his medal at a perfect position of attention, despite missing his right leg below the knee. His entire battalion was in attendance as well as Marines from across the nation, former service members, family and friends.

According to eyewitness accounts, Gustafson’s actions that fateful day in July 2008 met and exceeded the requirements for a Navy Cross.

On July 21 Gustafson was manning the turret of the lead vehicle, a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, during a four-vehicle mounted patrol riding through the streets of Shewan, Afghanistan.

That’s when things got ugly.

The patrol came under heavy fire from machine guns as well as rocket-propelled grenades from hidden insurgent positions.

One of the RPGs hit Gustafson’s MRAP, piercing its armor, rendering the driver unconscious and partially amputating Gustafson’s right leg.

Despite his injuries, Gustafson remained vigilant on his M240B machine gun, locating and accurately firing on several insurgent positions, some as close as 20 meters from the vehicle.

He remained in the turret, reloading twice and firing over 600 rounds, while Lance Cpl. Cody Comstock, an Anderson, Ind. native, applied a tourniquet to his leg.

After regaining consciousness, the driver, Cpl. Geoffrey Kamp, an Indianapolis native, put the vehicle in reverse and pushed the disabled vehicle behind them out of the kill zone.

Not until both vehicles were safe from the heavy insurgent fire and all the Marines had evacuated the burning vehicle did he allow himself to be removed from the turret for medical treatment.

“I knew I was hit,” he said. “I guess the adrenaline kept me going.”

Gustafson humbly stressed that he was only doing his job, nothing more.

“Anyone I served with would have done the same,” said the Eagan, IL native. “Heck, if it wasn’t for everyone else out there, I wouldn’t have made it.”

After being treated by corpsmen at the scene, he was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Upon regaining consciousness after surgery, Gustafson called his parents to tell them what happened, said the 21 year-old.

“We were worried about him,” said his mother, Kim Gustafson. “But we knew everything would work out, God does have a plan after all.”

During 2/7’s deployment to Afghanistan, “the extraordinary became ordinary,” said Lt. Col Richard Hall, 2/7’s commanding officer during the deployment. “I underestimated my Marines and I’m in awe of what they accomplished.”

Known as the hardest hit battalion in the Marine Corps during 2008, 2/7 lost over 20 Marines and sailors and sent over 80 home with serious injuries during their eight month deployment to Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson received the Navy Cross and a meritorious promotion to corporal during a ceremony March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey Grey Field.

Gustafson is now looking to the future and says he is looking forward to a bright future outside of the Marine Corps.

“I took a lot of photos in Afghanistan,” said Gustafson. “I’m going to go to college in the fall and try and make a career out of it.”

Cpl. Brady Gustafson never faltered during the ambush and his heroism helped save the lives of all the Marines involved.

The valor and courage displayed on the streets of Shewan that July day embodied the core values of the Marine Corps and sets an example for all to emulate and be proud of.

“I’m proud of all the Marines,” said Kim. “There are so many heroes, I’m so lucky to count my son among one of them.”

United States Marines
By Pfc. Michael T. Gams,
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command 29 Palms

Silver Star, Purple Heart posthumously

Josh Ayers, brother of Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, proudly displays the Silver Star Medal awarded to Cpl. Ayers posthumously, March 29, during a ceremony at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga. Members of Ayers' unit, Chosen Company, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, attending the ceremony and stood at attention directly behind the family during the presentation. Cpl. Ayers was a graduate from Shiloh and a student commander of the Air Force ROTC.

The Army’s third-highest award for valor, the Silver Star, was posthumously awarded to the family of Cpl. Jonathan Ayers at Shiloh High School, March 29, due to his valor during a fire fight in Wanat, Afghanistan July 13, 2008.

The ceremony, attended by approximately 300 members of the Snellville community, also attracted a rather rough-looking bunch””members of an organization that has taken part in Soldiers’ funerals and memorial services for the past four years.

Entering the auditorium, a ring of 90 motorcyclists clad in riding gear, each holding an American flag, form an impressive sight. Amidst leather fringe, sewn onto patches, is the group’s name, a proclamation of pride: Patriot Guard Riders.

“Standing for those who stood for us,” is the group’s motto””one the Patriot Guard takes seriously. They have stood in between the families of fallen Soldiers and protesters since 2005, and continue to show respect at memorial services with their trademark flag lines throughout the country. The ceremony was a fitting event for the motorcycle aficionados; Ayers was an avid rider himself.

Ayers loved motorcycles so much that he was late deploying to Afghanistan with his unit following an accident on his bike. A tough tumble, though, could not deter him from riding – an attitude he also brought to his military career, and what would eventually earn him a Silver Star.

The 24-year-old machine gunner from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was killed in action, July 13, 2008, when the observation post he was manning was attacked by Taliban fighters. Ayers died just one week before his unit was scheduled to return home.

Described as a “quiet professional” by members of his unit, Ayers acted with gallantry in action during the single deadliest attack since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, where nine U.S. Soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded.

During the four-hour battle, an estimated 200 Taliban fighters attacked the small outpost near the Pakistan border, outnumbering U.S. troops nearly 2-to-1.

Ayers, taking heavy enemy fire from his foxhole-like embankment, continued to shoot his weapon even after being hit in the helmet with a bullet. Ayers’ company commander, Capt. Matt Meyer, explained that had it not been for Ayers’ bravery, he believed many more of his men may have lost their lives.

“A lot of people in his position would have ducked down and gotten out of the way,” Meyer said. “But he didn’t, he kept on firing.”

Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, commander of the South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke about gallantry and what it means.

“What separates gallantry from any other valor on the battlefield is spirit,” Schroedel said. “It takes a lot of family support to give you the spirit that can sustain someone through what Jon went through.”

Col. James DeCamp, chaplain, First Army, offered his own definition of valor.

“Valor; it’s what happens when a Soldier puts the mission and other Soldiers before himself.”

Gallantry. Valor. No matter the verbiage, Ayers’ actions on July 13, are deserving of praise. However, Ayers’ mother, Suzanne, claims that if her son had been present at the ceremony, he would have been embarrassed by all the attention.

“He wouldn’t have wanted all this because he didn’t want anyone to think he was a hero,” Suzanne said. “If he was here today, he would say he was just doing his job.”

In the high school that he graduated from in 2002, words were spoken about Ayers by his comrades, his commander, a general, a mayor, a State Representative, a high school teacher, and his family””yet all accounts point to his attitude of humbleness.

Although saddened by the loss of their son, the Ayers’ are resolutely proud of his service.

“I asked him if he thought he was making a difference,” Bill Ayers said of his son, “and he told me “˜yes, I think I am.’”

The Ayers’ explained that they are not surprised by their son’s actions, and that he learned to stand his ground from a young age.

“It helps hearing what he did that day,” said Bill Ayers. “It’s a tremendous honor”¦we miss our son greatly, but knowing that he was willing to protect his country and unit”¦it helps.”

The Silver Star was accepted by Ayers’ brother, Josh Ayers, in front of an audience of family members, friends and about 20 members of Ayers’ unit, stationed in Vicenza, Italy.

On March 30, Meyer and Spc. Michael T. Denton (members of Ayers’ unit) were also awarded Silver Stars for their actions during the battle at Wanat, while Sgt. 1st Class David L. Dzwik received a Bronze Star with a Valor device. Throughout Chosen Company’s 15-month deployment in Afghanistan, 16 Soldiers were killed in action and 50 were wounded.

As the Soldiers from Chosen Company exited the auditorium, the words of Col. William B. Ostlund, deputy commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment resounded: “Today we truly are in the company of heroes.” And in the distance, the sound of 90 motorcycles could be heard.

DVIDS
Story by Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown

More on Cpl. Jonathan Ayers and the battle at Wanat

• Long War Journal
• Medevac View of the Battle of Wanat – Blackfive
• Honoring Cpl Jonathan Ayers – Blackfive
• CPL Ayers Silver Star & Memorial Celebration – Blackfive
• Stars & Stripes