Soldier receives Soldier's Medal, Promotion

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commander, 3rd Infantry Division, pins the Soldiers Medal on Chief Warrant Officer John Pratt July 1. Pratt was awarded the medal for heroism while helping several people involved in a car wreck in Florida last April. Lynch had also pinned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 on Pratt just before giving him the medal. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.02.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

Multi-National Division-Central

BAGHDAD, Iraq –A chief warrant officer from Hunter Army Airfield, was awarded the Soldier's Medal for courageously aiding local Iraqi residents even though his life was in danger.

Chief Warrant Officer John Pratt, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, received the Soldier's Medal from Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Infantry Division commander, at Camp Striker, Baghdad.

Pratt, while on temporary duty in Florida, and another Soldier came upon a minivan that had only moments prior been involved in a car wreck on a bridge. The two stopped and began attending to the one passenger who was unconscious and bleeding.

Pratt looked over the side of the bridge and saw a dual-cab pickup truck lying upside down approximately 60 feet below. Two people were inside the truck, while another lay nearby. The contents from the bed of the truck were burning in a bramble bush nearby.

Pratt, along with four other military officers, two U.S. Army lieutenants, and two Hungarian lieutenants, made their way to the vehicle and began treating the occupants while battling flames. They learned the vehicle carried ammunition which sporadically fired off as Pratt and the others treated the victims.

"One of the second lieutenants was saying, 'Reminds me of Baghdad,' and I didn't really grasp what he meant," said Pratt. "I heard the snaps and pops but I thought it was all the branches burning. We asked the guy if there were any live ammunition, and he said 'yeah there's a bunch of (.22-caliber bullets) in the back of the truck.' I just stayed low."

Pratt and the others continued to work using fire extinguishers to keep the fire at bay. Eventually a fire hose was lowered from the bridge's edge and Pratt and another person at the scene used it to extinguish the flames.

"I only did what any of us in here would have done," said Pratt. "I did what a Soldier is trained to do."

Pratt said the award ceremony was an unexpected honor and surprise. "This is one of the most ornate and special events of my career," added.

Pratt was also promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 5 by Lynch.

"This shows years of dedication," said Lynch of the promotion. "I am proud to do this on behalf of a grateful nation."

Pratt, a helicopter pilot from Bellville, Ill., thanked his family saying, "All of our loved ones made sacrifices and put in the extra effort that allows us to do the things we need to do."

The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation, who shows heroism by risking personal danger or risk to life not involving conflict with an armed enemy.

• Date Taken: 07.02.2007
• Date Posted: 07.03.2007 09:40
• Story ID: 11107
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ