Purple Heart Medals, Army Commendation Medal with Valor awarded to soldiers

Courtesy Photo | Col. Timothy McGuire, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division commander, expresses to the Paratroopers of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment the pride he has for the unit during an awards ceremony for Paratroopers of 2-505th PIR Thursday at the 2-505th PIR headquarters here. McGuire presented the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and three Purple Heart Medals to four Soldiers for their action while deployed in Iraq.  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

02.28.2008

Courtesy Story

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By 40th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Four Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment were recognized Thursday during an awards ceremony for their actions in combat while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the ceremony at the 2-505th PIR headquarters building, Col. Timothy McGuire, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division commander, awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor to Spc. Philip Howard, infantryman, 2-505th PIR.

While on patrol North of Sammarra, Iraq, Howard provided security for his wounded crew after an improvised explosive device detonated against Howard's vehicle injuring the entire crew and destroying the vehicle.

"When we got hit I kind of blacked out," Howard said. "I came to, checked the status of my team, my sergeant was unconscious and the rest of my guys had injuries."

"I then called over my radio and gave a situation report to the rest of the platoon and provided security until we were extracted," Howard said.

Spc. Brandon White, infantryman, 2-505th PIR, who was awarded the Purple Heart Medal at the ceremony, was in the same truck as Howard and said Howard definitely took charge and did what he was trained to do.

"I remember him checking to see if we were OK," White said. "He grabbed the driver's night vision goggles, scouted the area and manned the gun until helped arrived."

The second Purple Heart Medal was awarded to Spc. Timothy Olivo, infantryman, 2-505th PIR, for injuries he sustained when his vehicle was struck by an IED while on an escort mission south of Sammara.

The final Purple Heart Medal was presented to Spc. Andrew Reuther, infantryman, 2-505th PIR, for wounds he received in Sammarra from small arms fire.

While suppressing an enemy position in support of maneuvering forces, Reuther eventually ran out of ammunition for his .50-caliber machine gun and was forced to engage with his personal weapon.

"With all the adrenaline pumping through me," Reuther said, "I didn't know I was hit until it was all over."

During his speech to the Paratroopers and Families in attendance, McGuire expressed his pride and admiration of all the Soldiers in the 3rd BCT.

"I'm proud to see the LGOPs (Little Group of Paratroopers) show drive and initiative to make things happen," McGuire said.

"You paratroopers here represent the strength of Two Panther, the strength of 3rd BCT and the strength of the All-American," McGuire said, "You all are making history and I am damn proud to serve along side of you."

"Today was a wonderful Two Panther day," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander, 2-505th PIR. "I'm honored to have these Paratroopers in my command."

• Date Taken: 02.28.2008
• Date Posted: 03.06.2008 09:41
• Story ID: 17048
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US