Captain Sean P. McQuade, Staff Sergeant Christian C. Bryant and Sergeant Jose M. Rivas

Silver Star [three awards]

WTTI
Three Soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team received Silver Star awards today for their actions while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII.

The Fort Drum ceremony, conducted by the soldier’s unit, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment at the unit headquarters, honored Captain Sean P. McQuade, Staff Sergeant Christian C. Bryant and Sergeant Jose M. Rivas.

The soldiers were recognized for their actions when their platoon came under fire early in morning of April 22nd.

During the ensuing 17 hour battle the platoon was engaged by 30 to 40 enemy personnel from 20 separate fighting positions.

Despite the long hours of intense and accurate enemy fire from various small arms and rocket propelled grenades, the platoon eliminated 80% of the enemy force, taking the day.

Among the enemy dead was Habib Jan, a key enemy sub-commander. Coalition forces had been targeting Jan for over three years.

News 10 Now
The Silver Star is one of the highest awards given for valor in the United States Armed Forces. Wednesday, three soldiers of the First Battalion 32nd Infantry Regiment were awarded the medal for their acts of heroism in Afghanistan.

Cpt. Sean McQuade is one of them. “We were just doing a routine patrol and were engaged by some enemy personnel and you know responded to that incident,” said McQuade.

The 17-hour attack took place in April. The soldiers say it started when enemy forces first attacked a civilian helicopter that was resupplying them.

“So, after the helicopter left the area, they opened up on us, and pretty much we were just trying to do our jobs, trying to keep our area safe. Make sure the enemy’s weren’t hiding any weapons or anything,” said Silver Star recipient Sgt. Jose Rivas.

WSYR
For 17 hours the unit fought, and thanks to some heroic actions that day the unit was able to survive, thanks in large part to the actions of three men. They were recognized Wednesday with the Silver Star for gallantry.

It was what they did for their fellow soldiers during heavy gunfire that put them in front of them again Wednesday, this time in a much friendlier environment.

One recipient, Sergeant Jose Rivas, says, “It’s humbling to know that they want to recognize us like this, we were just doing our jobs that’s all I was trying to do was take care of my guys.”

Their fellow soldiers recognize that. The mission wasn’t supposed to be like it was, but it turned into a life and death situation. Sergeant Jose Rivas, Staff Sergeant Christian Bryant, and Captain Sean McQuade risked their own lives because they said they had to. When the gunfire starts they say it’s about one thing.

Staff Sergeant Bryant says, “It’s a lot of mixed emotions my main focus was my men just making sure they do the right thing.”

Captain McQuade says, “You feel sometimes time has slowed down and other times things are just racing.”