Fox Battery Soldier receives Purple Heart from grateful commander

Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, 116th Brigade Combat Team commander, addresses soldiers from Fox Battery, 188th Air Defense Artillery at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, September 16.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.26.2005

Courtesy Story

116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team

Capt. Monte Hibbert
116th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs


FOB WARRIOR, Iraq- Spc. Jesse Banks, an F ("Fox") Battery, 188th Air Defense Artillery Soldier, was awarded the Purple Heart by 116th Brigade Combat Team Commander Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart September 16 at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq.

Banks received the award for wounds received when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on his patrol en route to FOB Warrior earlier this summer. The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers wounded or killed by enemy fire.

"Spc. Banks was the gunner on the vehicle when the IED exploded, sending shrapnel into the air," said Sgt. 1st Class George Overby, Fox Battery operations sergeant. "He still has the piece of shrapnel that wounded him."

The award was presented in front of a Fox Battery formation. Brig. Gen. Gayhart said that he appreciates Banks' sacrifice, along with the sacrifices of each soldier. He also used the opportunity to remind the soldiers to maintain their focus on safe operations as the unit prepares to redeploy in upcoming months.

The 116th BCT was mobilized in support of the global war on terrorism in June 2004. The unit's multi-faceted mission in Iraq includes security training and operations, aiding the Iraqi government, supporting economic and infrastructure development, and facilitating communications.

The 116th BCT includes headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116 BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2005
• Date Posted: 09.26.2005 13:33
• Story ID: 3105
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ