Fort Campbell honored one of their extraordinary Soldiers April 5 during a Silver Star Medal presentation to SFC Matthew Loheide.
SOUNDBITES:
Col. Paul R. Cordts, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital commander
"Sergeant First Class Loheide has deployed three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, all with the 1st Brigade Combat team out of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell. It was during his last deployment to Afghanistan on June 27, 2010 that his courageous acts led him to receive the distinctive honor of a Silver Star Medal today."
Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Commanding General for the 20th Support Command which oversees Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosives at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
“The significance of the Silver Star Medal should not be taken lightly. If you take a moment and look around at the uniforms at this ceremony today, you will not see very many Silver Stars – that is true up and down the chain of command from Private to General.”
“Every action he took that day – from setting up security with members of his platoon inside a ditch and identifying an enemy stronghold, to relocating his team to a safer position to escape mortar fire, to directing machine gun teams to fire into enemy positions and, although suffering traumatic brain injuries himself, ensuring the safe evacuation of the platoon’s five casualties – was a result of his desire to take care of his teammates.”
Although Sgt. 1st Class Loheide does not consider himself a hero, he like many Soldiers do what they do for the love of other Soldiers and their country.
Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith
“But like so many of our fellow warriors, Sergeant Loheide is a humble and dedicated professional and the adulation and respect of his fellow citizens is not why he exhibited such heroic acts. He did this because of all of you here today: his fellow Soldiers and warriors. He risked his life and displayed courage under fire that hot day in Afghanistan because he loves his country and he is dedicated to the mission.”
COL Paul Cordts
“Sergeant First Class Loheide continues to carry the same leadership qualities he displayed in combat today, serving in a new role assisting Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers throughout their healing, recovery and transition process. Sergeant First Class Loheide is actively engaged in leading other Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers through the Adaptive Reconditioning Program. His work within the WTB helps ill, injured or wounded Soldiers overcome challenges and disabilities through sport and physical activity, ultimately facilitating better overall health and a higher quality of life.”
Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith
“Without the work of fine noncommissioned officers like Sergeant First Class Matthew Loheide we could not remain Army Strong.”
Soldier comments on behalf of Loheide
Sgt. 1st Class Loheide comments. Available in High Definition.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2013 20:57 |
| Category: | B-Roll |
| Video ID: | 286045 |
| VIRIN: | 130405-A-DD678-964 |
| Filename: | DOD_100779101 |
| Length: | 00:05:48 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, US |
| Downloads: | 5 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Silver Star Medal Presentation to SFC Matthew Loheide With Soundbites, by Laura Boyd and Fred Holly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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