Photo By Sgt. Richard Daniels Jr. | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Derek L. Ashman of San Diego, platoon sergeant of 1st...... read more read more
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“We were doing a traffic control point when a female walked up and detonated herself 10 meters from me,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Derek L. Ashman.
On June 21, Ashman, of San Diego, platoon sergeant of 1st Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, was on the Sholtan Bridge in the Shigal District when he was struck by shrapnel from an insurgent’s suicide vest in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, leaving scars he bares today.
“When it first happened, I closed my eyes. When I opened them, there was a ball of fire. I ran out because I thought I was on fire,” he said.
Unaware of his injuries, Ashman hurried to his soldiers.
He ran across the bridge before the smoke cleared, said U.S. Army Spc. Jeremy R. Tetrick of Glennville, Ga. “[Another soldier and I] pulled him into an Afghan National Police check point. I started treating Sgt. Ashman and got him patched up the best I could.”
U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher L. Dixon of San Antonio, section sergeant, immediately called a helicopter for medical evacuation.
“He was sluggish after it happened,” said Tetrick. “He was dazed and confused, but he was still in charge; he was still our platoon sergeant.”
Within minutes, the helicopter arrived and took Ashman and several other blast casualties to the nearest forward operating base for treatment.
International Security Assistance Forces face dangers everyday in Afghanistan. From small arms fire to improvised explosive devices, they brave the perils to create a better and more secure Afghanistan. Returning to duty after coming face-to-face with a suicide bomber is not a story every Soldier can tell like Ashman could.
Ashman happily reunited with his Soldiers Sept. 22 after undergoing two months of treatment at the Brooke Medical Facility on Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
“It’s who I am, my job, my soldiers,” said Ashman. “I mostly want to be with them. I never quit anything.”
Amazed by Ashman’s capabilities after receiving his injuries, one soldier described him as “Superman.”
“He is defiantly dedicated,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Steven T. Scofield of Floral City, Fla., automatic rifleman. “He is still the same old Sgt. Ashman.”
It feels great to have the original platoon sergeant back, he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2010 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 57336 |
| Location: | NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 585 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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