9 posts tagged “silver star”
From Stars and Stripes
Vicenza NCO receives Silver Star for saving lives in Afghan ambush
Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett pins the Silver Star on Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye during a ceremony Tuesday on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. Begaye was honored for his actions in a battle near Aranas, Afghanistan, in which five fellow soldiers and a Marine were killed VICENZA, Italy — Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye knew he and his men were in trouble. Ambushed near Aranas, Afghanistan, on Nov. 9, 2007, the soldiers were caught in a well-planned crossfire and needed to find cover. Though he had been shot in the arm, Begaye took a minute to consider his options. "It was almost like time stood still," he said Tuesday after receiving the Silver Star for his efforts that day. "The only real option I had was over the cliff." So he started down into a steep ravine, telling his men to follow. "We were sliding down and the whole time we were still taking accurate fire," he said. Several soldiers were wounded on the way down and one was killed. But the rest survived to fight on. Once Begaye and his men found adequate cover, he treated the wounded, called in mortar support and rallied other soldiers who were farther back in the convoy to hold their positions. Mortar fire and reinforcements eventually drove the enemy from the field. Five soldiers and one Marine died in the battle. Begaye, the ranking soldier after his platoon leader was killed in the initial attack, said he’ll wear his medal in honor of those who didn’t make it. "I really don’t know how I feel about getting a medal for just doing my job," he said. "So this medal’s not for me, but for the guys who died that day." Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett, who presented Begaye with the medal, told those gathered on Hoekstra Field that the native of Black Canyon City, Ariz., deserved the recognition. "Outnumbered, wounded, initially pinned down in an enemy kill zone, he didn’t hesitate to jump forward," Garrett said. "Today, we honor an NCO whose bold action turned the tide of battle and saved the day." Garrett noted that the ceremony was just a few days before July 4, a day when Americans celebrate Independence Day. "Freedom isn’t free at all," he said. "Our freedom has been bought by the sacrifices of American soldiers." Begaye was a member of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. Twenty-four soldiers from the battalion died during 14 months in Afghanistan. The battle near Aranas was one of the deadliest of the tour. He’s currently a member of Vicenza’s Warrior Transition Unit, though he has recently re-enlisted and hopes to join the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team’s headquarters before its next deployment. He’s married to Air Force Staff Sgt. Idellia Beletso, a flight medic stationed at nearby Aviano Air Base. She attended the ceremony along with hundreds of soldiers from his battalion. Several of those who offered him congratulations have also been honored for their actions. To date, soldiers from the battalion have received a Distinguished Service Cross and 25 Silver Stars. Four awards are still pending. These men gave their lives that day. May they Rest In Peace for eternity and may their families always know that their sacrifice is not and will never be unnoticed or forgotten. 1LT Matthew C. Ferrara SGT Jeffery S. Mersman CPL Sean K.A. Langevin CPL Lester G. Roque SPC Joseph M. Lancour Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks
The war comes home: Utah 6-year-old accepts his late father's Silver Star
WEST HAVEN -- Often, when the skies above Kanesville Elementary School are clear, children on recess can look up and see a fighter jet from nearby Hill Air Force Base slicing a sharp white contrail into the blue.
Some of those jets have cut similar trails across Afghan skies. And that's as close as most of this suburban school's students will ever come to the ongoing battle in south Asia.
But the war flew much closer to home on Wednesday. In a morning assembly before hundreds of teary-eyed students, a stoic six-year-old named Jase Spargur accepted the Silver Star -- the U.S. military's third-highest medal for valor -- on behalf of his fallen father.
Jonathan Brostrom was one of nine soldiers killed when hundreds of Taliban guerillas armed with rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars ambushed an Army outpost near the village of Wanat, near the Pakistani border, on July 13.
According to accounts from fellow soldiers, the 24-year-old Army first lieutenant was responding to enemy fire from a relatively safe location when he learned that soldiers in a nearby observation post were in trouble. He was killed while trying to ferry medical supplies and ammunition across a 100-yard stretch between the two positions.
Today, Jase's memories of his father are mostly just images. He recalls surfing together in Hawaii, where his father grew up. He remembers swimming together in the ocean. And he recollects playing video games together in the family's home.
"He used to throw me up into the air," Jase says. "We'd do all kinds of cool stuff like that."
Jase's mother, Lindsey Spargur, said her son has come to accept the death of his father, even if he still doesn't fully comprehend what happened. Wednesday's assembly, she said, gave her boy an opportunity to see their family isn't alone in the way they speak about his father -- or in the way they honor his sacrifice.
"Lieutenant Brostrom was a hero," said Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet, commander of the Utah National Guard, who presented the medal to Jase in the school's gym. "And there are other heroes here with us today. Jase is one of them."
Principal Mel Hawkes said he didn't think twice when military officials approached him with an offer to present the award to Jase in front of the entire school. "We want our students to understand that this is not just something that happens on the news," he said. "This is something that affects us all."
Hawkes said all of the teachers in his school were asked to show their classes a video describing what had happened to Jase's father in preparation for the assembly. But as images of Jase and his father were projected onto a screen ahead of the presentation of the award, many of the students ---and their teachers -- broke into tears.
"That's good," Tarbet said. "I think it's good for them to understand."
For most, the assembly lasted a half-hour. For Jase, Tarbet noted, the loss will last his entire life.
That fact was not missed by 12-year-old Garrett Peterson.
Like most sixth graders, Peterson had never spent much time contemplating the nation's ongoing wars, let alone the cost. And he didn't know that a young boy from his own school had suffered the death of his father in battle.
"When I found out, I felt so bad for him, because I could understand how this would be so hard for me," Peterson said. "I couldn't live without my dad."
At least for a few moments, on Wednesday, the war had come home.
mlaplante@sltrib.com / blogs.sltrib.com/military
UPDATED BELOW with video of CPL Ayers' ceremony from Fox News as well as video of CPT Myer's, SGT Denton's and SFC Dwzik's Ceremony and additional links added at end of post.
RESPECT
HONOR
LOVE OF FELLOW MAN
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
AWARDS OF VALOR
This past weekend was about all of the above and so much more. It will be impossible for me to find words to fully describe the events. It will be equally as impossible for me to be able to describe the privilege of being able to sit back and watch the men of 2-503 and, more specifically of Chosen Company, interact with each other. I was privileged to sit for hours and listen to them remember all of their Fallen Brothers and to talk about the memories they have of them and about how much they miss them. When it came to the Awards of Valor for those who survived the Battle at Wanat EVERY SINGLE SOLDIER could have cared less about receiving an award. Why? Because they would rather their Brothers in Arms be here and because they were just "doing their jobs."
From the Columbus, GA ledger-enquirer:
“I’m excited and a little bit sad because of the guys that can’t be here,” Dzwik said. “But that’s also why this is important. It’s not, in my opinion, for me. It’s for my men. They fought very hard that day. They fought for each other, and I’m just glad to be here to represent them.”
According to Dzwik’s citation, the platoon sergeant directly engaged the enemy while also directing indirect fire. Additionally, Dzwik led reinforcements to a beleaguered Coalition Force Observation Post and then ensured that several casualties were evacuated.
----------------------------------------------
Myer said his award will serve as a reminder of what he and his brothers in arms endured on the battlefield that day. At the time of the attack on Wanat, Myer was serving as company commander for C Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.
“I’d really say for all the guys I know that have gotten high level awards, the award itself doesn’t mean as much as what they’ve gone through, the people that they’ve been with as they went through it,” Myer said. “So it means more to me that there’s people here that were there with me that day.”
-----------------------------------------------
Denton was serving as a grenadier in C Company during the attack on Wanat, which is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains, adjacent to the Pakistan border. He said he was happy some of the guys from his old unit came out to Eubanks Field to witness his promotion from specialist to sergeant and the presentation of his award. Denton said the Silver Star is more for his fallen comrades.
“It’s more for the guys that didn’t come home,” he said. “It’s not just for me, it’s for everybody that was out there fighting that day.
“I didn’t want it,” Denton added. “I’m not going to lie. I was just doing my job just like everybody else.”
---------------------------------------------------
My pick for sweetest photo of the weekend below. CPT Myer's son Drew saluting as the National Anthem is played on Monday 30 March at the Airborne Walk at Fort Benning prior to the awards ceremony for CPT Myer, SGT Denton and SFC Dwzik
Most of us who were traveling in for the weekend's events arrived Saturday afternoon. Sky Soldiers flew in from WRAMC and drove in from Illinois, Florida, South Carolina and other parts of Georgia. There may have been others who traveled in but those are the ones I'm aware of. Saturday night COL Ostlund (former 173rd, 2-503 Battalion Commander during the deployment to Afghanistan and now Deputy Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment) and his wife, Heather, hosted a party at their house on Fort Benning. The rain FINALLY stopped in time for the party and a crowd of at least 50 showed up. Attendees included Vietnam Veterans of the 2-503, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of the 2-503, current members of the 2-503, Wounded Warriors from the recent Afghanistan deployment, Rangers, family and friends. The star of the show was COL Ostlund's 2 year old son Brenget. Regretfully I didn't take any photos that night.
For several hours everyone enjoyed the fellowship, told stories and remembered the Fallen. COL Ostlund gave a very touching speech about why everyone was there - to remember the Fallen and to reconnect. He reminded everyone that "Once a Sky Soldier, Always a Sky Soldier". He introduced us to Les Kapelka, a Vietnam Veteran of the 173rd, and his wife who had come from Eufaula, AL. Les is a member of VFW Post 5850 and Secretary-Treasurer of the VFW Southern Conference. It was such an honor to have them join the "younger" men and their families.
Around 21:00 several of the Soldiers, girlfriends and family members made their way back to the hotel where most of the out of towners where staying. A party ensued until around 0330 Sunday morning with about 30 or more people having a grand time. Rumor has it many others were at the Ostlund's until around the same time. What a night!
A few photos of the merriment at the hotel:
On Sunday 30 March 2009 everyone from the Fort Benning area traveled to Snellville, GA for the Silver Star Presentation and Celebration of Life Cermony for CPL Jonathan Ayers. We arrived to one of the greatest sights one could. The Patriot Guard Riders were standing in formation at the entrance to the Shiloh High School auditorium. There had to have been at least 100 great American Veterans and Patriots standing in two lines with American flags flying proudly in the breeze.
When this gentleman from the PRG was introducing CSM Meyers, COL Ostlund and CPT Myer (who was off camera) it was incredibly moving. At one point when he was thanking them and their Soldiers for doing what they do to protect this nation and our freedom he had to pause momentarily because of his emotion. That, my friends, is what these amazing Patriots (many of whom are Veterans) are all about. The Patriot Guard Riders do what the do so well and so respectfully at their own expense and on their own time. Definitely National Treasures in my book.
We made our way into the Auditorium and took our seats. Not long after that the Patriot Guard Riders entered the building and completely surrounded the auditorium as they stood with their flags. If you haven't seen a sight like this it's impossible to explain it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a photo of the entire auditorium. This is the best I could do from my seat:
There were around 50 Sky Soldiers in attendance in their Class A uniforms and a few others in civilian clothes due to either 1) being out of the Army now or 2) their Class A uniforms being in transit from their prior duty station and unavailable for them to wear. It was an impressive sight. The members of Chosen Company (5 of whom in attendance were at Wanat with CPL Ayers that fateful day 13 July 2008) were seated together on the front row center. All of the other Sky Soldiers and their spouses/signficant others were seated together on the front rows on the right of the auditorium. A true brotherhood.
COL Ostlund and CPT Myers both participated in the ceremony. Jim Hanson from Blackfive.net captured their remarks on video:
The ceremony was a true celebraton of CPL Ayers' life. In my opinion Brig Gen Joseph Schroedel "stole the show" with his many uplifting and humorous remarks about CPL Ayers and his family. CPL Ayers' mother, Suzanne; his father, Bill; and his brother Josh also shared many great remarks and stories with us. Please take the time to watch the video and listen to a little about CLP Ayers and those who served with him.
And I would be completely remise if I didn't mention the Shiloh High School Air Force Junior ROTC members. Their participation in the program was done with exceptional dignity, honor and precision. It was more than evident during the program that they has spent countless hours practicing all of their duties. A big HOOAH (sorry, don't know the Air Force one) for a job WELL DONE. CPL Ayers was a member of the Shiloh High School Junior ROTC program and was instrumental in their program receiving many awards and top honors during his tenure.
After Brig Gen Schroedel finished his remarks the members of 2-503 Chosen Company marched onto the stage to stand behind the family as CPL Ayers' family was awarded his Silver Star posthumously.
UPDATE: From Fox News:
Prior to leaving Snellville several of the Soldiers who had served with CPL Ayers (many during the Battle at Wanat) along with their family members went to pay their respects at CPL Ayers' grave. It was the first opportunity they had to do so since many had been Wounded and were in the hospital and others were either still in Afghanistan or redeploying back to Italy at the time of his funeral.
After the Celebration of CPL Ayers' life we traveled back to the Fort Benning area and relaxed in preparation for Monday's events. Here are a couple of photos of the relaxing time we had:
It is impossible to describe what it was like to witness 1SG Beeson and his men interacting that night. Heartwarming to say the least. They spent a lot of time remembering their Fallen Brothers. They also spent time reminding each other of some of the crazy things they had done and been through. I wish I had a dollar for every time 1SG Beeson shook his head and said, "I had no knowledge of that at the time and it's a good thing I didn't".
We were up bright and early on Monday morning to attend the Awards Ceremony for CPT Myer, SPC Denton (but not for long that day), and SFC Dwzik held at Fort Benning on the Airborne Walk. It was an absolutely beautiful morning. I credit Heather Ostlund for making the rain go away.
The ceremony began with SPC Michael Denton being promoted to SGT Denton
COL Ostlund made a few remarks about the Chosen Few and those being awarded Medals of Valor. He also recognized Medal of Honor Nominee SGT Kyle White (November 9, 2007 Ambush) and Distiguished Service Cross Nominee SGT Ryan Pitts (Battle of Wanat) who were in attendance.
Then the Commanding General of Fort Benning, Major Gen Michael Barbero made remarks:
CPT Myer, SGT Denton and SFC Dwzik were called forward to receive their awards presented to them by Major General Michael Barbero
CPT Myer and SGT Denton were presented the Silver Star for their actions at the Battle at Wanat. SFC Dwzik was presented the Bronze Star with V Device for his actions at the Battle of Wanat.
Jim Hanson from Blackfive captured the awards ceremony on video. Thanks Uncle Jimbo!
COL Ostlund shares incredible facts and information about the men of Chosen Company. I encourage you to watch this video.
I was quite shocked at the amount of media at the event. After the Awards were given each of the three men were approached by the media for interviews. I have a couple of photos of SGT Denton being interviewed but didn't capture any photos of CPT Myer or SFC Dwzik being interviewed.
UPDATE: Click here to view video from WLTZ - NBC 38
And the "money" quote of the day from SGT Denton when the CNN reporter approached him for the THIRD time about an interview, "Didn't you say you were from CNN?", Her reply, "yes". SGT Denton, "I'm not interested." That's my guy! You see, CNN, if you hadn't been so nasty for so long to our military personnel to the point of, in my opinion, distrust, you might have had a shot at the interview. A real shame. SGT Denton is a stand up man and a stand up Soldier with amazing stories of heroism to tell about his Fallen Brothers and all those with whom he has served as well as what he endured. SGT Denton probably wouldn't want me to mention this in the post. He knows how proud I am of him anyway. This was just icing on the cake for me.
A few more photos after the ceremony:
I want to express my most sincere appreciation to both Major Gen Barbero and COL Ostlund as well as the members of their respective staffs for making the awards Ceremony on Monday a first class event. I also want to express my gratitude to MAJ Perry Jarmon, Dep Chief of Public Affiars, 1st Army and his staff for all they did to make CPL Ayers' ceremony first class. Without an enormous amount of work in a short amount of time by all of these people the events of this weekend would not have come together as they did.
The Battle at Wanat is a difficult memory for the families, friends and Brothers in Arms of the Fallen Heroes. I believe the events of the past few days have done such honor to the Fallen and I hope the events have helped a little more in the healing process of those who survived.
There are no words in the English language to convey how honored I am to have been able to attend these events and to spend time with these men, so many of whom have become great friends.
Additional links:
http://www.army.mil/ Vicenza Soldiers Honored For Bravery In Afghanistan
www.blackfive.net - Blog post #1
www.blackfive.net - Blog post #2 (with video)
www.blackfive.net - Blog post #3
www.thisainthell.us - Blog post
Valor Citations for CPL Ayers, CPT Myer, SGT Denton and SFC Dwzik
UPDATE: Print story from WLTZ 38 News
UPDATE: From 11Alive.com
UPDATE: Assoluta Tranquillita - a Candian Troop Supporter
UPDATE: Must scroll down to Four More 173rd Paratroopers Receive Awards for Actions During Battle of Wanat
UPDATE: Must scroll down to For Gallantry in Action
CPL Jonathan Ayers Silver Star (Posthumously)
CPT Matthew Myer Silver Star
SGT Michael Denton Silver Star
SFC David Dwzik Bronze Star with V Device
From ksat.com
Silver Star Awarded To BAMC Patient
Army Spc. Aaron Davis Awarded Silver Star, Purple Heart
From the LedgerEnquirer.com
Posted on Thu, Mar. 26, 200
Benning soldier's family to accept Silver Star for fallen son
Three Fort Benning Soldiers will soon be presented with Silver Stars and another will be given a Bronze Star with "V" device for their actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2008.
In a ceremony to be held March 30 at 10 a.m. at the Airborne Walk on Eubanks Avenue, Capt. Matthew R. Myer and Spc. Michael T. Denton will receive Silver Stars while Sgt. 1st Class David L. Dwzik will be given a Bronze Star with “V” device for their gallantry in action during the Battle of Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13, 2008.
At a separate ceremony at 3 p.m. on March 29 at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga., the family of Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers will be presented his Silver Star for his actions during the Battle of Wanat, which is being awarded posthumously.
Myer, Denton and Dwzik were members of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team during the Battle of Wanat. Nine soldiers from their company were killed in action that day and 27 more were wounded.
During Chosen Company’s 15-month deployment to the Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan, 16 of their soldiers were killed in action and 50 were wounded.
Prior to the award ceremony Denton will be promoted to sergeant.
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States and is presented to servicemembers who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism. It is the third highest award presented for valor.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team is based in Vicenza, Italy.
There are 10 Silver Stars and 4 Bronze Stars with V Device for Valor being awarded to Soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wanat. Additionally one Distingushed Service Cross is pending. To say those men were in a hell on earth that day is more than an understatement.
Those of you who follow this blog know that I have had the honor to get to know many of these men and their families. I have been especially honored to have gotten to know and spend a lot of time with many of the Wounded Warriors. It is an honor I do not take lightly.
Over the past week or so many people have worked tirelessly to make sure the awards ceremony and celebration of life for CPL Ayers as well as the awards ceremony for CPT Myer, SFC Dwzik and SPC (P) Denton are meaningful and well attended. Sky Soldiers and family members from around the southeastern United States as well from as far away as Illinois and New Hampshire are driving and flying in for these events as a way to honor their brothers in arms.
Uncle Jimbo of Blackfive.net and I will be attending. What a special honor it will be on Sunday to join the Chosen Few and other Sky Soldiers in celebrating the life of CPL Ayers and on Monday when they attend the awards ceremony at Fort Benning. It's actually turned into a bit of a mini reunion and the Sky Soldiers are anxiously awaiting the weekend to be able to reconnect and be together again to remember those whose lives were lost during the deployment and to strengthen a bond that I can't imagine could be any stronger.
Links to additional stories about the Battle of Wanat:
It's no secret to those of you who know me that I've become very close to many of the Sky Soldiers and their families. And I hope it's no secret to them that I could not be more honored to have had the opportunities to get to share in their lives. I have never been so PROUD of a group of men in my life and for so many reasons.
There was an awards ceremony at Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy on March 20, 2009 to both honor the lives of the nine Sky Soldiers killed in action at the Battle of Wanat on July 13, 2008 as well as to present awards for Valor to six of the Soldiers who survived that awful attack. The awards ceremony in Italy on March 20th was the beginning of a series of awards ceremonies that will be held over the next couple of weeks for those who were a part of this battle. While most awards will be presented to the Soldiers there will be others presented posthumously.
Next weekend Uncle Jimbo of Blackfive and I will be traveling to Georgia to attend two ceremonies related to Wanat. The focus is going to be on honoring the lives of those who died as heroes that day. The Soldiers are insisting on that - no surprise to me. It will be a bittersweet time.
From Stars and Stripes is the following article about the award ceremony in Italy.
Six Vicenza soldiers honored for acts of valor in Afghan battle
This is such a great story about two incredible American servicemen; two generations; two wars; father and son. I applaude their courage and determination to protect their fellow warriors.
NOTHING angers me much more than reading about our military personnel receiving their Medals in the mail. You have GOT to be kidding me! One of the 173rd, 2-503 Soldiers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (our nation's second highest honor for military personnel) for actions he took during a noted battle in Afghanistan last year. I was more than ticked off when I learned that he received his DSC in the MAIL! Of course his Commander did the right thing and made sure there was a ceremony but give me a break - in the MAIL???
From msnbc.com (click on link to see photo)
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Jonathan Harris, a Blackhawk pilot who withstood enemy fire to save a wounded crewmember in Afghanistan, was awarded a Silver Star on Friday. Not to be outdone, his 60-year-old father was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star in a simultaneous ceremony honoring his bravery in Vietnam.
The two generations watched each other through a video teleconference between Fort Campbell, where the elder Gary Harris was honored, and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, where Jonathan is completing a tour.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told retired Staff Sgt. Gary Harris via video that he hoped the special ceremonies repaid the Army's failure to give him an official ceremony nearly 40 years ago.
Gary Harris, of Corbin, Ky., originally received his medals in the mail. He was officially pinned with a Silver Star by the deputy commanding general-rear for the 101st Airborne Division for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in Vietnam. He also received a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement during his time in Vietnam.
According to the Army, the elder Harris was serving as a squad leader in August 1969 with a company near Go Rieng that came under intense mortar and rocket fire. He held off attackers and got his wounded fellow soldiers safely aboard a medical helicopter.
The younger Harris, 35, was given the award for exceptional gallantry against enemy forces in July, when his helicopter was struck by rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft artillery near the Afghan city of Gardez.
According to the Army, three soldiers' lives were saved when Harris, who holds the rank of chief warrant officer 2, killed an insurgent and dragged his wounded crew chief to safety.
"I'm kinda jealous, Dad; you've got two medals and I've only got one," the younger Harris joked after receiving his medals at Bagram.
H/T to Larry Arnone at 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Downrange. Larry's son Alex is interviewed in the video.
Related story from Stars and Stripes
Mortarman Awarded Silver Star for Valor
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European Edition, Thursday Sept 25, 2008
VICENZA, Italy — During the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment’s recently concluded tour in Afghanistan, there was no more dangerous place on a U.S. compound than the mortar pit.
That’s where U.S. soldiers would launch devastating counter attacks if enemy forces fired on the base.
And as a result, "They (the mortar pits) were always targets," said Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, the battalion commander. "Because they’re what kept [the enemy] off the bases."
Ostlund said soldiers from the 28-member Mortar Platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Company have received 41 valor awards for their actions in Afghanistan, including three Bronze Star Medals with valor.
On Wednesday, the platoon received its second Silver Star.
Ostlund pinned the medal on Staff Sgt. Christopher Upp in a ceremony on a Caserma Ederle basketball court next to one of the barracks.
"In 25 years, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to present a Silver Star to a soldier," Ostlund told soldiers from the company and other elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team gathered around the court.
Upp, a 27-year-old from Sterling, Colo., was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with the platoon and fourth tour downrange overall. He was assigned to Vehicle Patrol Base Seray in the Chowkay Valley on July 31, 2007.
Upp said the first memory that pops into his mind of that day is the mortar round that hit near the mortar pit — killing 1st Lt. Benjamin Hall.
"A great officer was killed," he said, lifting the Silver Star Medal pinned to his uniform. "This is for him really."
Upp led a small group in a charge toward the pit. They were targeted by machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades along the way. More than once, they were knocked to the ground by rocket-propelled grenades that landed close to them. Once they got to the pit, another RPG damaged the tripod that supports the 120-millimeter mortar, and shrapnel tore a large gash in Upp’s left forearm. The wound would eventually require 17 stitches.
With the mortar support damaged, Upp had to use his hands — and shoulders when the tube got too hot — to guide the return fire. He fired 75 rounds back at enemy positions, enduring constant machine-gun fire.
Upp said he remembers much of the battle from a third-person perspective.
"It’s kind of like when your foot goes to sleep and you can’t feel it, but you know it’s still there," he said. "That’s how my mind was. Numb. Human instinct to survive kicks in. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do."
Upp, recently married, said he’ll now join the SETAF staff, keeping him in Italy — and away from any mortar pit for at least a while.
