926th Engineer Brigade

Story by Spc. Anthony Hutchins

By Spc. Anthony Hutchins
926th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD – Three Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from the 926th Engineer Brigade were shown the appreciation, Aug. 15, 2008, of their unit and the Army for their actions on, June 19, 2008.

Members of the Brigade Protective Services Detail were on a mission on the east side of the Tigris River in Baghdad when they were attacked. All of the Soldiers in the PSD performed their duties in textbook fashion. They drilled this possibility for months in preparation for the worst-case scenario and reacted as though it was second nature.

Within a moment, a simple drive became chaos. As they were traveling near the Sadr City area of Baghdad the lead vehicle was struck by an explosively-formed projectile. Quick reaction and good driving skills by the driver, Spc. Jarrod Allen of Montgomery, Ala., helped ensure the safety of the crew and the passengers. "There wasn't a doubt in my mind that we were hit, no confusion, it was very clear."

After the vehicle came to stop, Spc. Allen exited the vehicle with the assistance Sgt. Curtis Calhoun of Atlanta, truck commander. Calhoun led Allen to safety after realizing that Spc. Allen was unarmed upon exiting the burning vehicle. Allen then returned unarmed and with no concern for himself to the truck with a fire extinguisher even though it was engulfed in flames. "I thought there was the possibility that someone was in there, Spc. Thaddeus Lake specifically." Calhoun went searching for the passengers of his vehicle who ran to the opposite side of the street to take cover.

Sgt. Rusty Tetter of Georgiana, Ala., who was the TC of the fifth vehicle, jumped from his truck and ran to the burning vehicle. From his original position he could not see who had gotten out of the truck if anyone. "I thought the gunner, Spc. Lake, was still in the truck. I couldn't see the passengers and I thought Lake was hurt," Tetter said about his reasons for running to the truck. "I had to get to them; I had to get to the truck to see if anyone was hurt."

While under enemy fire he then lead stranded Soldiers from the burning truck who had taken a dismounted position, to the safety of his own vehicle. He even went back into the burning vehicle to search for Lake who had already left.

The rest of the PSD cordoned off the area and pulled security. Pfc. Jonathan Knight, the driver of the fourth truck, of Columbus, Ga. wheeled his vehicle as close as possible to the damaged truck in order to load passengers into any open space available. By doing this he eliminated the distance the dismounted Soldiers would have to travel under enemy fire.

For these Soldiers, it was another day doing their duty the way they were trained. Every one felt lucky and felt as though things could have gone a lot worse. The brigade leaders felt they were deserving of recognition and recognition is what they received. Allen, Calhoun, and Tetter were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device for valor and Knight was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for their actions on that day.

Calhoun responded, "I'm happy to be alive to get it, but I am no hero, I was only doing my job."

Associated Images

Control Panel