Story by: Capt. Michael Martinez
BAGHDAD -- Task Force Lancer -- made up mainly of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment -- has been working hard to improve the living conditions in eastern Baghdad for more than ten months. Sometimes, those efforts meant ridding the streets of insurgents and thugs.
Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, came to recognize the efforts of some Task Force Lancer Soldiers during an awards ceremony, whose heroism has made a difference in the lives of the people in Sadr City.
In all, Chiarelli awarded five Bronze Star Medals, five Army Commendation Medals with Valor Device and ten Purple Heart Medals to Task Force Lancer troops for their heroism during combat operations in Sadr City in August.
For one recipient, it was a proud, but humbling experience.
Staff Sgt. Joshua York, Company C, 2-5 Cavalry, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle section leader during operations in Sadr City.
Several rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) gunners ambushed his vehicle while he was securing a weapons cache. Upon securing the cache, York repelled the attack and destroyed the insurgent fighters.
Two days later, he bravely defended a destroyed Bradley section, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy until his unit could recover the vehicle.
"I am really proud to receive the Bronze Star, but I wish I hadn't," York said. "I'm glad I did what I did in Sadr City and I'm proud to be with a bunch of great guys in Charlie Company."
Awards were not the only item on the venue. One member of the task force took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to support and defend the Constitution of the United Stated of America.
Sgt. Winton Burriss, Headquarters Company, 2-5 Cavalry, took the oath of re-enlistment, administered by his commanding general.
"It was a good opportunity to stay in the 1st Cavalry Division," Burriss said.
"This is a great battalion to be in, and I look forward to its future as a Unit of Action. It would have been perfect if my wife was present, but having Maj. Gen. Chiarelli re-enlist me was the best I could have asked for."
The surprise of the day shocked everyone, especially the task force's commander, Lt. Col. Gary Volesky. The division commander awarded Volesky the Silver Star Medal for heroism.
On Aug. 16, Volesky personally led an ad hoc element of two tanks and 11 Bradley Fighting Vehicles to rescue a Bradley Fighting Vehicle section that was isolated and in heavy contact in Sadr City.
Insurgent RPG gunners had earlier ambushed a tank section. They then ambushed a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it was dispatched to secure the damaged tank.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team's commander directed Task Force Lancer, at the time were refitting and conducting maintenance in preparations for Operation Iron Fury, to mount up immediately and fight its way to the cut-off section.
The crew and dismounted section from the stricken Bradley cleared a building and established a defensive position on its rooftop. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Volesky immediately mounted his Bradley Fighting Vehicle and departed Camp Eagle at the head of the column.
While receiving small arms fire, RPGs and detonations from improvised explosive devices along the route, Volesky continued on and arrived at the site. He secured it and evacuated the wounded.
Iraqi police reported that a 500-man Madhi Army strike force was moving in on the location of the ambushed section. After recovering the damaged vehicle, now engulfed in flames, and the wounded, Volesky called in AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to provide close air support to cover their withdrawal.
The rescue resulted in recovery of the damaged vehicles, 100 percent accountability and 10 insurgent fighters killed.
"I'm extremely honored to receive the award," Volesky said, "but there are 700 other guys who deserve it more than me."
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2005 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 890 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 23 |
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