Photo By Sgt. Judith Dacosta | Pfc. Martin B. Hoffman, with the 84th Engineer Combat Brigade, listens to members from...... read more read more
Twelve hours after 84th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) Pfc. Martin Hoffman sustained injuries during a combat logistics patrol in an improvised explosive device related incident; his battalion commander presented him with a Purple Heart in the air medical staging facility at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in early March.
If the ceremony had not been held quickly, it could have been a year or more before the Soldier received recognition, said Lt. Col. Mark Toy, the 84th ECB.
The unit honored the Soldier in a ceremony that was both motivational and emotionally stirring.
"Teamwork, trust and loyalty is what is going to get us through this deployment," said Toy during the ceremony.
"We told the Soldiers an hour ago that we were going to have this ceremony for you," said Toy to Hoffman. "They all came here for you."
More than 35 Soldiers from Hoffman's platoon attended the ceremony to provide moral support and encouragement. It was a gesture that moved Hoffman to tears.
"Thank you guys for taking care of me," said Martin brushing away the tears from his face. "All I know is; it was exactly how we practiced. Drilling sucks but it â?¦ works."
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Buxbaum, with the 130th Engineer Brigade, also awarded Hoffman a coin etched with the unit's motto: "Sappers in."
"I have one more thing I want to give," said Buxbaum. "I know you can't keep the metal that they pulled out of the back of your leg so I am going to give you one of our medals."
In addition to the Purple Heart and the command sergeant major's coin, Hoffman also received a piece of pound cake wrapped in aluminum foil from a fellow Soldier and a patriotic blanket from the Air Force Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff.
After the ceremony was complete, each Soldier walked around the side of Hoffman's bed to shake his hand, encourage him and thank him for his service.
Soldiers spoke highly of Hoffman and were glad that he was alive and stable.
"This man is always clowning around," said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Harr, the B Company, 84th ECB 1st platoon sergeant who has known Hoffman for nine months.
"We just want him to get better so we can put him back to work," he adding jokingly.
"I feared for his life out there," said Staff Sgt. Deutsch N. Puu, the 84th ECB noncommissioned officer in charge of the combat logistics patrol mission in which Hoffman was injured, "but all our training was effective and together we worked like a well-oiled machine to get our Soldier to safety."
Though safe, Hoffman, who said he has "holes in his legs," lay in bed unable to walk.
Despite his bedridden condition, he expressed his desire to complete his duty.
"I am the driver of the truck in that convoy," said Hoffman. "I trust my ability to react in those situations. I should be driving that truck but now I won't be able to."
Hoffman said he was grateful for all the support from his unit members.
The rush to pin Hoffman with a Purple Heart, the room full of supportive Soldiers and the ample words of encouragement were "overwhelming," said Hoffman.
"Overwhelming" may describe the 84th ECB's example of efficient leadership and dedication to the individual Soldier. The 84th Brigade's persistence and dedication to honoring a Soldier almost immediately after being wounded in combat, signifies a unit's dedication to putting the Soldier first.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2006 07:24 |
| Story ID: | 5897 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
This work, 84th ECB surprises Soldier with last minute Purple Heart, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT