Photo By Sgt. Maj. Danette Rodesky-Flores | Capt. Matt Meyer, former Chosen Company commander, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry...... read more read more
Subscribe
SNELLVILLE, Ga. — The Army's third-highest award for valor, the Silver Star, was posthumously awarded to the family of Cpl. Jonathan Ayers at Shiloh High School, March 29, due to his valor during a fire fight in Wanat, Afghanistan July 13, 2008.
The ceremony, attended by approximately 300 members of the Snellville community, also attracted a rather rough-looking bunch—members of an organization that has taken part in Soldiers' funerals and memorial services for the past four years.
Entering the auditorium, a ring of 90 motorcyclists clad in riding gear, each holding an American flag, form an impressive sight. Amidst leather fringe, sewn onto patches, is the group's name, a proclamation of pride: Patriot Guard Riders.
"Standing for those who stood for us," is the group's motto—one the Patriot Guard takes seriously. They have stood in between the families of fallen Soldiers and protesters since 2005, and continue to show respect at memorial services with their trademark flag lines throughout the country. The ceremony was a fitting event for the motorcycle aficionados; Ayers was an avid rider himself.
Ayers loved motorcycles so much that he was late deploying to Afghanistan with his unit following an accident on his bike. A tough tumble, though, could not deter him from riding - an attitude he also brought to his military career, and what would eventually earn him a Silver Star.
The 24-year-old machine gunner from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was killed in action, July 13, 2008, when the observation post he was manning was attacked by Taliban fighters. Ayers died just one week before his unit was scheduled to return home.
Described as a "quiet professional" by members of his unit, Ayers acted with gallantry in action during the single deadliest attack since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, where nine U.S. Soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded.
During the four-hour battle, an estimated 200 Taliban fighters attacked the small outpost near the Pakistan border, outnumbering U.S. troops nearly 2-to-1.
Ayers, taking heavy enemy fire from his foxhole-like embankment, continued to shoot his weapon even after being hit in the helmet with a bullet. Ayers' company commander, Capt. Matt Meyer, explained that had it not been for Ayers' bravery, he believed many more of his men may have lost their lives.
"A lot of people in his position would have ducked down and gotten out of the way," Meyer said. "But he didn't, he kept on firing."
Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, commander of the South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke about gallantry and what it means.
"What separates gallantry from any other valor on the battlefield is spirit," Schroedel said. "It takes a lot of family support to give you the spirit that can sustain someone through what Jon went through."
Col. James DeCamp, chaplain, First Army, offered his own definition of valor.
"Valor; it's what happens when a Soldier puts the mission and other Soldiers before himself."
Gallantry. Valor. No matter the verbiage, Ayers' actions on July 13, are deserving of praise. However, Ayers' mother, Suzanne, claims that if her son had been present at the ceremony, he would have been embarrassed by all the attention.
"He wouldn't have wanted all this because he didn't want anyone to think he was a hero," Suzanne said. "If he was here today, he would say he was just doing his job."
In the high school that he graduated from in 2002, words were spoken about Ayers by his comrades, his commander, a general, a mayor, a State Representative, a high school teacher, and his family—yet all accounts point to his attitude of humbleness.
Although saddened by the loss of their son, the Ayers' are resolutely proud of his service.
"I asked him if he thought he was making a difference," Bill Ayers said of his son, "and he told me 'yes, I think I am.'"
The Ayers' explained that they are not surprised by their son's actions, and that he learned to stand his ground from a young age.
"It helps hearing what he did that day," said Bill Ayers. "It's a tremendous honor...we miss our son greatly, but knowing that he was willing to protect his country and unit...it helps."
The Silver Star was accepted by Ayers' brother, Josh Ayers, in front of an audience of family members, friends and about 20 members of Ayers' unit, stationed in Vicenza, Italy.
On March 30, Meyer and Spc. Michael T. Denton (members of Ayers' unit) were also awarded Silver Stars for their actions during the battle at Wanat, while Sgt. 1st Class David L. Dzwik received a Bronze Star with a Valor device. Throughout Chosen Company's 15-month deployment in Afghanistan, 16 Soldiers were killed in action and 50 were wounded.
As the Soldiers from Chosen Company exited the auditorium, the words of Col. William B. Ostlund, deputy commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment resounded: "Today we truly are in the company of heroes." And in the distance, the sound of 90 motorcycles could be heard.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2009 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 31824 |
| Location: | SNELLVILLE, US |
| Web Views: | 617 |
| Downloads: | 535 |
This work, Snellville Soldier posthumously awarded Silver Star, by MSG Alexandra Hays, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT