Kentucky Guardsmen decorated for gallantry in mid-March firefight

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.16.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story, Photos by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
MNC-I PAO
June 16, 2005

CEREMONY

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- A ceremony honoring the valorous efforts of a group of Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers was held under a glaring sun at Camp Liberty June 16.

The 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky., stood at the position of attention as seven of their own were decorated with three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars with valor devices, two Army Commendation Medals with valor devices, and one Purple Heart for heroics performed during a March 20, 2005, firefight in which their actions resulted in the elimination of more than 30 anti-Iraqi forces and the capture of a large cache of weapons.

The company was in formation between two armored vehicles as the command "Awardees, post," rang out from company commander Capt. Todd M. Lindner.

Decorating the Soldiers was Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commanding General, Lt. General John R. Vines.

Each of the seven Soldiers respectfully saluted as Vines pinned medals upon their chests. Citations were read and Vines spoke afterwards of the gallantry of the awardees.

"My heroes don't play in the (National Basketball Association,)" Vines said. "My heroes don't play in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. My heroes are standing in front of me todayâ?¦ I salute you."

The position of attention was again called, and the singing of the Army Song rounded out the ceremony. Each guest congratulated the seven Soldiers with a hand shake and group photographs were taken with the Soldiers.

"It was a good day," said Sgt. Dustin Morris, who received the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device. Morris was the driver for the lead Humvee in the attack. The actions of the day didn't sink in for him until he got back to camp, he said.

"It didn't sink in until the next day what had happened," Morris said. "I never expected anything like this to come of it, with this many people. I'm real pleased though and I'm proud to be in this unit."
The events that led to the ceremony started as the 617th's second squad was shadowing a supply convoy during route patrol.

"We saw a lot of dust being kicked up by the convoy vehicles, as if they were being engaged by an (improvised explosive device) or an ambush," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein, squad leader, second squad. "We knew something was wrong."

The squad proceeded directly into an ambush site.

"As we came on the scene, the insurgents' fire all shifted," said Nein, who received the Silver Star for his actions. "They realized who they needed to fire on. They quickly shifted all fire from the transportation convoy to us."

The insurgents had placed getaway vehicles on a road beside the field they were in. Nein and his Soldiers proceeded to this side, flanking the insurgents and cutting off any chance for escape. "The insurgents didn't have a choice but to stay and fight," Nein said.

The Soldiers from second squad laid down fire from .50 caliber machine guns, Mark 19 grenade launchers, and M240B machine guns.

Once the dust settled, 27 insurgents were dead, 6 were wounded, and one was captured.
After the mid-March firefight, there wasn't any hesitation to put the Soldiers in for the awards they received said 617th First Sergeant Kenneth D. McQueary.

"I felt immediately that what they did was worthy of high recognition, and there was no hesitation in putting them in for these awards," McQueary said. "I feel real proud that they are in this company."

Receiving the Silver Star were: Staff Sgt. Timothy F. Nein from Henryville, Ind.; Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester from Bowling Green, Ky., and Spc. Jason Mike from Radcliff, Ky.
Receiving the Bronze Star with "V" device were: Spc. Ashley Pullen from Danville, Ky.; Spc. William Haynes II (who was unable to make the ceremony); and Spc. Casey Cooper from Princeton, Ky. Cooper was also awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the attack.

Receiving the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device were: Sgt. Dustin Morris from Murray, Ky., and Spc. Jesse Ordunez from Marshall County, Ky.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2005
• Date Posted: 06.16.2005 15:13
• Story ID: 2176
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ