2 posts tagged “arcom awards”
On April 22, 2008 I posted about four Soldiers from 173rd, 2-503 Chosen Company being awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with Valor. I mentioned in that post that many other Sky Soldiers had received various awards but that I didn't have the specific information.
Yesterday I received an email from the father of SPC Frank Eckrode, Jr informing me that SPC Eckrode, Jr. had received the Army Commendation Medal with V device for Valor for his actions on the night of 26 October 2007.
SPC Eckrode's father didn't have the wording regarding the award or a photo of when it was presented or I would share that with you. There is no doubt that SPC Eckrode executed acts of great heroism or he would not have been considered for nor awarded the ARCOM with V device.
SPC Eckrode was home on R & R recently and took the time to call me. It was a phone call I never expected and one that I will always cherish. It's been said before by many and should be said over and over again - I don't know where we get men such as SPC Eckrode, Jr.; men of such bravery, honor, duty, selflessness, courage, loyalty and comittment Our nation is richly blessed by them and they deserve more from us than we can ever give them. I look foward to the day when I can meet SPC Eckrode, Jr., shake his hand and thank him personally for all he has done on behalf of our nation.
A big HOOAH to SPC Frank Eckrode, Jr and may God watch over and keep you safe.
A few days ago General Dan K McNeill, Commander of ISAF in Afghanistan visited our Soldiers in the Korengal Valley. While he was there he presented several medals to Soldiers. I was fortunate to have received the following photos of four Chosen Company Soldiers being awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with Valor.
Several other Soldiers from the 173rd received awards but I haven't gotten specifics on names or awards. I do know that there will be many awards given to the Sky Soldiers in the days, weeks and months to come. From all accounts the Sky Soldiers have engaged in untold numbers of acts of extraordinary heroism, valor and courage during this deployment. May God keep them safe until their return to their home bases in Europe later this summer.
