Soldier of the Week- Marine 1stSgt Donnie Brazeal

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
Sept. 8, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

It’s hard to imagine a man jumping on top of parapets to draw enemy rocket, grenade, and machine gun fire away from his buddies. But Marine 1stSgt Donnie Brazeal did just that in April, 2005 during what many say was one of the largest fire fights of the Iraq War.

Brazeal, now retired after serving 23 years in the Marine Corps, served four back-to-back deployments. One of his last deployments was to Iraq from January to September of 2005.

While the attacks were endless, one stands out from all the rest; insurgents hit Brazeal’s company, stationed at a combat outpost, on the morning of April 11, 2005. Brazeal said his reason for risking life and limb on that day was simple.

“Those are my sons,” he said, pointing to a group of sergeants and corporals who attended his award ceremony at the Naval Academy on January 27, 2007. “I was bringing young Marines home. We fought every day, and they (young sergeants and corporals from his unit) are the real heroes.”

“My father taught me never to run away from a fight, and my mother taught me to help my fellow man,” said Brazeal, who was raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On April 11, mortar rounds were hitting within five to 10 yards of each other, witnesses said, which meant the attack was well planned. As the mortar shells, rockets and grenades rained down, the Marines found themselves being hit directly with machine gun and small arms fire.

Brazeal saw one group of Marines that was pinned down, and he and another Marine pulled out two anti-tank missiles and mounted the wall they had been using for a barrier. That maneuver drew fire on Brazeal, but allowed the other Marines to regroup and return fire.

Conventional weapons weren’t the only dangers in that pitched fight that lasted seven hours. At one point, a dump truck headed straight for the compound, and the Marines knew they were about to be hit by a suicide bomber. They stopped the truck, which exploded within 40 yards off their camp. Then came another vehicle, an ambulance loaded with explosives. And after that, a fire truck.

“They detonated a fire truck-full of explosives 75 meters away; it is a miracle it didn’t blow out our insides,” said Maj. Frank Diorio, who was a captain at the time and commander of the company.

The explosions flattened all of the buildings, Diorio said, and wounded some Marines, but they suffered no fatalities.

Perhaps the best testament to what Brazeal’s men thought of him was that two of the Marines in the April 11 attack, 1stSgt. John Harman and Sgt. Josh Hopper, who had just returned from a subsequent combat tour in Iraq, gladly gave up their first weekend home to travel from Jacksonville to Annapolis for the surprise ceremony.

“It was leadership from the front,” Harman said admiringly of Brazeal’s style. “That’s why the whole company loved him and Capt. Diorio.”

Brazeal was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. His award citation noted that during one of the company’s many fire fights, Brazeal knocked Diorio to the ground and threw his body over his commander to protect him from enemy mortar fire.

“First Sgt. Brazeal is a Marine’s Marine; he is Gunny Highway times 10,” Diorio said referring to a Clint Eastwood character who fought at Heartbreak Ridge. “He feared his God, but that’s about it.”

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from article by Earl Kelly, Staff Writer; HometownAnnapolis.com, Jan. 28, 2007

• Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

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Source: Our Military

Soldier of the Week – Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
September 5, 2009

Editor’s Note: Born Dec. 30, 1987 in Lowell, Massachusetts

Died Aug. 14, 2009 in Helmand, Afghanistan.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, of New Portland, Maine, was home-schooled from kindergarten to 12th grade by his mother, receiving his high school diploma from North Atlantic Regional High School. He was an active member of the teen youth group at his church, Crossroads Bible Church in Madison, and enjoyed gaming, hiking, snowboarding, shooting, was an avid reader and a big movie buff. Joshua enjoyed having fun, and although he was shy, he took great pride in helping other people.

A deeply religious young man, felt that it was his duty to not only serve God, but his country, he was focused on his goals in life. Following in the footsteps of his father, Joshua joined the Marines in November 2006 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, in May of 2007. Joshua’s role in the Marines was a rifleman. He deployed to Iraq with the 2/3 in January 2008, and deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2009 with the same unit.

He died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Joshua lived his life as a great example for Christ, earning the nickname “Holy Man” from his fellow soldiers.

He saw his role as a Marine as a protector of his country, not a warrior. A diligent soldier, with no ulterior motive other than to serve. His natural humbleness would have shunned the publicity over his death, he served for us, not himself. Joshua was buried in East New Portland Cemetery in New Portland, Maine.

Source: Freedom Remembered

Soldier of the Week – First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
August 29, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown:  Doylestown, PA
Awarded: Silver Star

Many believe that leadership is an innate quality rather than something learned. If this is a valid belief then First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion was certainly born a leader. Manion began his military career early as a student at the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy where he excelled academically.

Upon graduating from the academy in 2004, Manion chose to become a Marine Corps officer. Demonstrating his intellect and leadership abilities, this servicemember was commissioned and assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp in Pendleton, CA.  Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Iraq for his first tour of duty in 2005.

Manion and his unit were part of many critical events including support of the election, discovery of weapons caches throughout the region and numerous other Iraqi transition missions.

In September 2006, he was selected as an experienced Iraq veteran and was pulled from 1st Recon to become a part of a military transition team that would train with 10 other Marines that would be attached to an Iraqi Army Battalion in Fallujah.

Staying true to his commitment to public service, Manion geared up on December 26, 2006, for his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He served as the company advisor for the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Manion and his fellow Marines labored diligently to change the outcome in Fallujah, building a brotherhood with the Iraqi Army units and setting the example with strong leadership.

He and his fellow Marines aggressively took the battle to the enemy on multiple missions while mentoring their Iraqi counterparts.  On March 19, 2007, his vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device.  Though disoriented from the attack, Manion checked for secondary devices, and then led the pursuit to the triggerman.  Once identified, he personally apprehended the suspect.  On March 27, 2007, he exposed himself to enemy small arms fire on multiple occasions in order to physically position and direct the return fires of his Iraqi soldiers during a complex enemy attack.  On March 28, he immediately responded to a suicide vehicle-borne IED attack on the Iraqi Barracks at the Fallujah Government Center.  Despite ongoing enemy small arms fire, indirect fire, two suicide vest attacks, a second suicide-vehicle-borne IED, and the heavy presence of chlorine gas, he repeatedly endangered himself by entering the damage barracks to remove casualties, and then by positioning and directing the fires of Iraqi soldiers on the rooftop of the Government Center.

Manion and his fellow Marines fought courageously to change the tide in this critical battle ground.  As a result of their efforts, Al Anbar Province is now recognized as one of the more significant successes of the surge in Iraq.

On April 29, 2007 during his final patrol mission, Manion made the ultimate sacrifice.

His patrol was concluding a search of a suspected insurgent house when it came under precision small arms fire attack.  With the corpsman seriously wounded by enemy fire and the attack developing in to a full-scale ambush, Manion and a fellow Marine exposed themselves to increasing fire to pull the corpsman out of the kill zone.

After recovering the corpsman and administering first aid, Manion led his patrol in a counter attack personally eliminating an enemy position.  As he continued to direct the patrol, another Marine was wounded.  He again moved across the kill zone, under fire by five insurgents, to recover the wounded Marine.  Iraqi Army reinforcements were halted by an IED and were unable to advance on the flank of the insurgents, leaving Manion and his patrol to take fire from three sides.

While fearlessly exposing himself to gain a more advantageous firing position and drawing enemy fire away from the wounded Marines, Manion was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper.

His courageous and deliberate actions inspired the eventual counter attack and ultimately saved the lives of every member of his patrol, according to his medal citation.

“He wouldn’t put anyone in a situation he would not be in himself first,” said David Borek, his brother-in-law and close friend.

Manion was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Silver Star for his heroic actions in Iraq.

As a true testament to how much Manion was admired, the Iraqis named their new headquarters Combat Outpost Manion in honor of him.

Keeping the spirit of his selfless nature alive, The Travis Manion Foundation was created and continues his mission to assist the families of Fallen Heroes and wounded veterans, according to Janet Manion, his mother and executive director of the foundation.

“He was a kid with a big heart, never had a bad word for anyone,” said Tom Manion, his father.  “He was all heart; that is who he was.”

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from articles by Gary Weckselblatt, Bucks County Courier Times, Nov. 29, 2008; by Kenneth Harbaugh with MissionContinues.org; and The North Shore Journal.

• Hometown: Doylestown, PA
• Awarded: The Silver Star

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Our Military

Soldier of the Week – Joshua Simson

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 22, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Awarded: Silver Star

In 2007, Navy HM2 Joshua Simson was embedded with a joint U.S. military and Afghan National Army patrol to conduct key leader engagements in the village of Saret Kholet.  Simson was serving as an advisor on how to be a medical first responder.

On July 27, Simson demonstrated what committed first responders do when he repeatedly placed himself in the line of fire from machine guns, AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to single-handedly provide aid to more than a dozen wounded U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers during an attack.

“After talking with the elders, we pushed further east to establish an observation post to watch a certain river crossing.  A squad of Afghan National Army had pushed across the river to clear two houses and spotted bad guys,” Simson explained.  “The Afghans fired at them, causing the Anti-Afghan Forces to initiate their ambush prematurely.”

“We were in the kill zone, but since we hadn’t pushed as far down the road as we had intended, we weren’t entirely surrounded,” said Simson, who joined the Navy in September 2005 out of a sense of obligation and ‘to pay back a small part of the debt towards the cost of freedom.’

“I knew about the heritage of corpsmen before I joined and the job appealed to me…taking care of my brothers on the battlefield,” Simson stated.

The ambush led to a seven-and-a-half hour battle.  At one point, Simson pulled a wounded soldier into a nearby bunker to provide cover.  Immediately after entering the bunker, it suffered a direct hit.  Dazed, but undeterred, Simson finished treating the Afghan soldier.

“We were caught in a very deadly crossfire.  We took a lot more casualties during this phase of the movement.” Simson said.  “I was taking care of casualties as best I could during the march out without becoming one myself.”

Throughout the ordeal, Simson said he repeated a sequence of tasks over and over.  “See or hear somebody need help, put out suppressive fire, move the man to cover if possible, and render lifesaving aid.”

Eventually the unit got to a clearing where it was safe to evacuate the injured.

“I was just trying to help out,” Simson recalled. “We were all a little exhausted by the end of the day.”

Simson was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on the battlefield; his willingness to expose himself repeatedly to potential injury or death coupled with his composure under fire was exemplary and inspiring to his fellow servicemen and the Afghan soldiers.
“There are many, many other sailors out there who perform incredible acts but fail to get properly recognized,” he said of the medal.  “It feels weird to have the attention for just trying to do the job that was required of me.  The men with me that day displayed great courage and determination in the face of withering fire.  This is what gave me the strength to do my job…my buddies who were right there with me.”

• Hometown: Overland Park, KS
• Awarded: The Silver Star

 

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from an article by Loren Stanton, Sun Publications, Sept. 23, 2008.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Our Military

Navy Pilot comes Home after 18 years

By AP
August 14, 2009

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Navy pilot Scott Speicher, the long-missing first casualty of the first Gulf War, was finally laid to rest Friday in his adopted hometown as thousands of people lined the streets to watch a funeral procession pass his school, church and former military base.

Speicher was shot down in 1991 on the first night of the Gulf War. For more than 18 years, no one knew if he was killed or being held prisoner in Iraq until his remains were discovered in the desert, west of Baghdad, earlier this month.

“Eighteen years, six months and 11 days, that needs to be a record that is never broken,” said Buddy Harris, a former Navy pilot and friend who accompanied Speicher’s body home to Jacksonville from Dover, Del. Harris married Speicher’s widow, Joanne, and helped raise Speicher’s son and daughter, plus two more children with Joanne.

Motorcycles, their red and blue lights flashing, led Speicher’s hearse and family following in a limousine along a 30-mile route of sites special to Speicher.

At a monument for war veterans where Speicher’s name was engraved in 1995, military officials, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Jacksonville mayor talked about his military service. Dozens of roses were placed against the wall, where an eternal flame burns. Later, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office fired a 21-gun salute.

The motorcade traveled to Lake Shore United Methodist Church, where Speicher taught Sunday School. It rolled past Nathan B. Forrest High School, where he excelled at swimming and tennis.

Hundreds of people, including veterans and infants, gathered at each of the locations, including the site of the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station where Speicher’s squadron, the Sunliners, was based before he left on the USS Saratoga for the Gulf War.

Shelly Bradley’s husband was on the USS Saratoga when Speicher was shot down.

“It is nice to know he is home. It’s not exactly what we had hoped, but maybe it will bring some closure to his family,” said Bradley, of St. Augustine.

Chief Warrant Officer Brian Farrell, an instructor pilot with the Florida National Guard, dressed in his Army uniform to pay his respects.

“I’m here to recognize the sacrifice this young Navy officer gave to this country and the pain his family has endured for the last 18 years,” Farrell said. “I just got back from Iraq four months ago and I just wanted my family to be a part of it.”

Speicher, a Kansas City-area native who moved to Florida as a teenager, was buried in a private ceremony at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. Four Navy planes flew over the cemetery in the missing man formation.

For nearly two decades after the 33-year-old Speicher disappeared over the Iraq desert, his family pushed the Defense Department to find out what had happened. On Aug. 2, the Pentagon disclosed that Marines had recovered Speicher’s bones and skeletl fragments – enough for a positive identification.

Defense officials originally declared Speicher killed in action hours after his plane was shot down over west-central Iraq. Then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney announced on television that Speicher was the first casualty of the Gulf War.

Ten years after the crash, the Navy changed Speicher’s status to missing in action, citing an absence of evidence that Speicher had died. In October 2002, the Navy switched his status to “missing/captured,” although it never explained why.

Over the years, critics said the Navy had not done enough, particularly right after the crash, to search for the pilot.

“We just want to honor our fallen hero, since he is from our area. We felt is was our duty to come and honor him and his family,” said Deborah Hudgins, who knew some of Speicher’s family members.

Source: Fox News

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think: dan@youngchronicle.com

Soldier of the Week – SFC William Tomlin III

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 8, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Barkhamsted, CT
Awarded: Silver Star

After two full days of fierce fighting in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, approximately 300 enemy fighters began closing in on SFC William Tomlin III and his scout platoon of 45 soldiers. They were part of the U.S. Army’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

It was April 9, 2007, about 9:30 a.m., with the temperature already near a scorching 120 degrees. Tomlin, as the scout platoon leader, was maneuvering his platoon near Chakak, Afghanistan to extend the battalion’s security zone when he heard the sharp crack of incoming hostile fire from enemy fighters. Immediately, he sprang into action and instinctively ordered a small team of snipers to scout for the incoming enemy, but soon enemy gun fire and rocket propelled grenades rained down on the team halting their efforts.

Tomlin immediately rose to the occasion to lead a dismounted counter-attack against the enemy forces which had closed to within 15 meters of the platoon’s location.

“I grabbed three or four guys with me, and we moved into a position where we could suppress the bad guys,” said Tomlin.

During a non-stop six hour battle, Tomlin had one goal in mind – keep his fellow soldiers safe while not being overrun by enemy forces that had his platoon outnumbered six to one. He surged ahead of friendly forces to single-handedly employ multiple weapon systems including fragmentary hand grenades, AT-4s and his M4. Simultaneously, he directed the fires of platoon-organic heavy weapon systems.

By the third assault, Tomlin was suffering from severe dehydration and was near exhaustion, according to his award citation. But, he was able to work hand-in-hand with his Joint Tactical Air Controller, directing the devastating effects of close air support to within 100 meters of his platoon. Additionally, he organized reinforcements from four separate units into a cohesive element that ably completed the enemy’s destruction. These efforts helped lead his scout platoon to victory without a single American loss.

Tomlin’s leadership, personal courage, and selfless dedication in the presence of a determined, numerically superior enemy force were the difference between victory and defeat on this day. For his valorous actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.

Editor’s Note: From Excerpts from an article by Jim Moore in America’s North Shore Journal, Dec. 1, 2008.

• Hometown: Barkhamsted, CT
• Awarded: Silver Star

We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Source: Our Military

Soldier of the Week – Maj. David Bottoms

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 1, 2009

Editor’s Note: Hometown: West Jefferson, OH. Awarded: The Bronze Star.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Army Chaplain (Maj.) David Bottoms is not only a dedicated soldier but also a man of God.  He has been in the line of fire on several occasions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during two deployments.  Bottoms and his unit, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, saw their share of the good and the bad in 2004.  At that time, Task Force 1-7th unit was part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

“Almost seven months into our deployment in Bayji, Iraq, our Task Force 1-7th made some real headway into rebuilding the community into a safer and more secure environment,” wrote Bottoms.  “We completed key projects such as school buildings and a water plant that greatly enhanced the quality of life in Bayji and Ash Sharqat.”

His unit also ensured that the villagers had shelter while construction was underway and provided much needed medical supplies to the clinics.  Additionally, Bottoms noted that the Army non-commissioned officers trained a company of competent Iraqi National Guard soldiers.

Conversely, there were times when he – though a chaplain — faced danger.  “Life there was a mixture of joy and sorrow,” said Bottoms.  “On June 2, 2004, we suffered a car bomb at the front gate which killed 11 Iraqis and wounded 30 others along with two U.S. soldiers.  All that some of us could do was pray and keep the last moments of some men’s lives as painless as possible,” Bottoms continued.

In another incident, Bottoms was participating in one of several relationship building meetings with a local Islamic leader at the Bayji mayor’s office when they were interrupted by rocket fire.  Windows were blown out, resulting in several minor injuries to some in the meeting.

Bottoms reflects on other times while in Iraq.

“The weekend after Thanksgiving in 2004, things in town were crazy,” he said.  “I heard an explosion and went to the roof of the Operations Center (at the Forward Operations Base) …I saw fireballs rising from the city.  Our tank platoon was involved in a firefight downtown in the middle of the day.”

Thankfully, no U.S. troops were injured.  Nevertheless, Bottoms met with the unit to be a sounding board for the troops to talk about the incident.

Understanding his first mission is to minister to soldiers, Bottoms often joined fellow soldiers on the battlefield where he provided individual counseling to more than 100 weary servicemembers for marital issues, personal and family matters, grief, crisis intervention, combat stress, morale and spiritual matters.

As a chaplain, he dedicated himself to many hours of prayer to wounded and dying soldiers.  He also performed the last rites for many of the fallen.

When soldiers of the Task Force 1-7th left the combat theater, Bottoms personally planned and held a Single Soldier Spiritual Fitness retreat in Garmisch, Germany for 40 soldiers of Charlie Battery who had been in direct combat.  “The idea was to help them transition from a wartime mindset and prepare for their reintegration into their respective communities,” said Bottoms.  This retreat was designed to be spiritually and emotionally uplifting.

While deployed to Iraq, his mission was to support those soldiers who were in battle with the enemy as well as provide spiritual guidance for the lost.  For his service, Bottoms was awarded the Bronze Star.  Now out of the line of fire, Bottoms serves as a chaplain for the Clinical Pastorate Educational residency program at Walter Reed Medical Center in D.C.

• Hometown: Arlington, VA
• Awarded: The Bronze Star

Source: Our Military

Soldier of the Week – LTC Maria Kelly

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
July 25, 2009

Editor’s Note: Hometown: West Jefferson, OH. Awarded: The Bronze Star.

We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Balancing the roles of soldier, parent and military spouse in a dual military family is demanding and no small feat, but LTC Maria Kelly has managed to do it before, during and after deployments for 26 years.

She enlisted in the Army on active duty for three years, transitioned to the Army Reserve and later became a commissioned officer and joined the ranks of Ohio’s Army National Guard.

Throughout her military career, Kelly has deployed on several occasions and has earned numerous accolades, including two Bronze Star Medals.

“During my deployment to Kuwait in 2003, I completed three safety investigations that involved fatalities, “Kelly said as she explained her role as a Plans Officer with the 371st Corps Support Group, 3d Corps Support Command. “Anytime we lose a soldier in combat it’s tragic, but to lose a life in an accident… it is important to come away with lessons learned so we don’t repeat those incidents.”

“The impact of that experience (as a safety investigator), taught me the importance of leadership and the responsibility of protecting the forces from loss of life,” Kelly elaborated. “It shaped things for me as a leader.”

Kelly also established the effective Convoy Live Fire Training Exercise while deployed in the austere desert environment.

This training was critical because it taught troops, particularly those in vulnerable logistics transporter convoys, how to fight back and move down the road with authority. Seventeen units went through the initial training to learn the rules of engagement and to know how to defend from everything from thieves trying to steal water and supplies to a convoy under enemy attack.

“We had to train troops to fight back from a mounted defense when insurgents attacked, “Kelly said.” Prior to 2003, most convoy live fire training involved dismounting vehicles and taking up a defensive position and returning fire rather than defending on the move.”

Soldiers in convoys have successfully applied this training as a countermeasure to the persistent danger they face while in theater.

Through her efforts, many soldiers became confident in their abilities and their right to not only self-defend but also to remove the perception of being a “soft target.”

“Soft targets are convoys who would appear unorganized and those who would not fight back. They were transporter trucks that didn’t have much maneuverability and were literally soft skinned, canvassed trucks.”

Gunners and more solid vehicles are now in the transport convoys. Soldiers have reported that the Convoy Live Fire training, now referred to as convoy logistics patrol academies, continues to save lives.

“This training gave them the skills and confidence to perform their mission effectively,” according to Kelly.

As the battalion commander for the 237th forward support battalion from 2006 – 2007, she was part of the 4th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Multi National Division-North.

Kelly noted that her biggest challenge was “the complexity of forces to support the State Department and Department of Defense at and around the Forward Operating Base Marez and Diamondback in Iraq.

“It was a steep learning curve,”she recalled. “I was used to working with soldiers and other military services. But we worked with government civilians and contractors, multi-national forces, Iraqi local nationals, and third country nationals who were non-government contractors from places like Turkey, Philippines, Pakistan, and Turkey. ”

At the FOB, Kelly was close to Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. With a dense population of people so close to the base, enemy forces had an advantage of blending in.

“Frequent indirect fires occurred, but we had a hardened base and we were able to divert attacks with a posture of deterrence and training for catastrophic events.

“It’s easy to criticize from here about the time it takes to see progress there, but I have grown to appreciate the complexity of the entire process,” Kelly commented.

When she heard about the completion of the air terminal in Mosul on a portion of the FOB, she said that was a major milestone not only because the Army Corps of Engineers began the air tower construction during her tour, but also because it allowed the locals to travel from Mosul to Saudi Arabia via air versus bus.

Kelly has distinguished herself as a role model for other female enlisted and junior officers and is respected among her peers. Her impeccable investigative knowledge, organization and leadership skills has allowed her to consistently and efficiently serve her country and support her family.

Source: US Military

Soldier of the Week – Major John Clagnaz

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
May 14, 2009

Major John Clagnaz, the son of European immigrants and a first generation American, is known for leading from the front. His decisive actions and leadership throughout his tour in Iraq resulted in his receipt of a Bronze Star.

On June 18, 2006, “he led a Combat Camera team on a patrol with the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Mosul that resulted in the seizure of a substantial enemy weapons cache,” according to the narrative that accompanied his Bronze Star Medal.

He recalls a mission with Bravo Company, 2-6 Infantry in the suburbs of Ramadi on August 16, 2006, when the patrol came under intense sniper fire while dismounted and performing random vehicle searches.

“One U.S. Soldier was hit by enemy sniper fire in his back while returning to his vehicle,” said Clagnaz. A few feet away one of his videographers documented the scene with members of the patrol dragging the injured soldier out of the line of fire and treating him.  Once the Soldier was stabilized, he was moved to a Bradley Fighting Vehicle for medical evacuation. “Suddenly, the patrol came under heavy fire from the enemy position across an open field approximately 100-150 meters away,” Clagnaz described. “Members of the patrol returned fire.”

Now two men short – one soldier wounded and another administering first aid -his combat camera team stepped up to fill the vacancies as the convoy raced across the field to capture the enemy combatants firing at the patrol.

Not new to combat, Clagnaz led a total of 74 Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen at 17 Forward Operating Bases across Iraq, accomplishing documentation of 923 coalition missions.

Clagnaz joined the U.S. Army right after high school.  He had his first combat tour during the invasion of Panama.  During his second combat tour in August 1990, immediately after Iraq invaded Kuwait, he deployed as an Apache helicopter turbine engine mechanic.

“My unit fired the ‘first shots’ of the Allied Offensive, destroying two Iraqi early warning/ ground control intercept radar sites,” explained Clagnaz. “This opened a radar-black corridor to Baghdad and marked the beginning of Operation Desert Storm.” He later returned to the States, received an Air Force ROTC scholarship and earned his commission in 1998.

Fast forwarding to his most recent deployment, Clagnaz downplayed his acts of heroism and noted that it was really his team who deserves the recognition. In the midst of fighting, they documented imagery of key events including the aftermath following the termination of Al-Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the search and recovery of two kidnapped U.S. Soldiers, and the Regime Crimes Liaison Office’s Iraqi High Tribunal investigative hearings. This documentation and the installation of two satellite terminals improved imagery transmission by 75 percent and created a robust network architecture that expanded the military’s situational awareness in the region.

Source: Defense Link Military

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