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    Eye protection saves infantryman's vision

    Eye Protection Saves Infantryman's Vision

    Photo By Sgt. Natalie Loucks | Pfc. Douglas K. Phillips a 22-year-old native of Los Angeles with Company A, 1st...... read more read more

    COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, IRAQ

    07.24.2007

    Story by Sgt. Natalie Loucks 

    3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

    By Sgt. Natalie Rostek,
    3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

    COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq – Ballistic eye protection is the reason one Task Force Marne Soldier is able to see today.

    Pfc. Douglas K. Phillips, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, received minor injuries when a bullet struck his rifle and face during a combat operation May 14 in Durai'ya.

    Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team live by the "Marne Standard," the uniform Soldiers are required to wear during any given task or operation.

    During combat patrols, and missions requiring the Soldier to leave the base, this standard includes the complete Army Combat Uniform, body armor complete with all attachments, helmet, and ballistic eye protection.

    While conducting Operation Beach Yellow, a battalion-sized mission to disrupt enemy activity in the 1-15 Inf. Regt.'s area of operation, Phillips' unit was conducting a cordon and search of buildings in the area.

    According to Sgt. Rory Seppanen, Company A, 1-15 Inf. Regt., Phillips had his weapon at the "high ready." He had the butt stock of his weapon to his cheek and was looking through the sight ready to fire when necessary.

    As the unit came under small-arms fire, a bullet from the enemy pierced the lower receiver of Phillips' weapon and struck him, causing shrapnel wounds and powder burns to his face.

    The noticeable marks and damage to his protective goggles show the importance of eye protection.

    Spc. Raquel Martinez, of El Campo, Texas, a medic in Headquarters Company, 1-15 Inf. Regt., said she sees a lot of injuries that would have been much worse had the Soldier not abided by the Marne Standard. She believes in the value of eye protection.

    "You only have two eyes," Martinez said. "It's very hard to replace them."

    "Without eye protection, Pfc. Phillips would have received not only the wound to his cheek, but also to his eye," Seppanen said. "This would have resulted in the loss of his right eye."

    Seppanen, of Lansing, Mich., said Phillips was unwilling to acknowledge his own injury and moved calmly about to help treat other wounded Soldiers and aid in the evacuation of his fellow squad members.

    "His platoon sergeant pointed out the deep gash on his cheek exposing muscle and bone," Seppanen said. "It was at this point he allowed himself to be moved to the casualty collection point and later evacuated."

    Because of his dedication to helping his fellow Soldiers while putting his own medical needs behind him, Phillips received the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor.

    "Pfc. Phillips distinguished himself through his actions that day," Seppanen said.

    Phillips, a native of Los Angeles, also received a Purple Heart, his first of two in a two-month time span. Phillips' earned his second Purple Heart July 11 after Forward Operating Base Hammer came under rocket attack. During that attack, Phillips received shrapnel wounds and was evacuated to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for further treatment.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.24.2007
    Date Posted: 07.24.2007 07:20
    Story ID: 11439
    Location: COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, IQ

    Web Views: 285
    Downloads: 172

    PUBLIC DOMAIN