By Cpl. Benjamin Cossel
CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Warriors of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division came together, Nov. 15, to dedicate two rooms of Dining Facility One in honor of Warrant Officer Chuck Fortenberry and Warrant Officer Shane Colton, both killed, April 11, when their Apache Longbow Helicopter was struck by a surface-to-air missile.
Addressing the assembled troopers, Lt. Col. Ronald Lewis, commander of the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, said "Chuck and Shane's heroics in early April set the stage for how this Task Force would fight. Courage under fire; be there when your ground brothers need you; get there quickly so you can save lives."
The month of April saw some of the most intense fighting in Iraq since the end of major combat operations. The number of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in that month reached the highest numbers seen; it still remains the deadliest month in Iraq. Units of the 1st Cav. Div. were just beginning their rotation in Iraq during the month when radical Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr lead his devotees in revolt, it was that ambush that took the lives of Fortenberry and Colton.
"Chuck and Shane responded to a call on the Sheriff net that a fuel convoy was under attack, being overrun and had several wounded that needed to be evacuated on [a main highway] just west of Baghdad International Airport," said Lewis, his voice breaking as struggled to regain his composure.
"Within minutes, they maneuvered to the site, began engaging the enemy attacking the convoy and enabled the ground troopers to break contact. While fighting, Chuck and Shane's aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile that had devastating effects on the engine and rotor blade."
For Spc. Andrew Bozylinski, a crew chief with Company C, 1-227 AV, and for all the troopers, the ceremony was more then dedicating rooms to two fallen pilots, it was an honoring of brothers.
"Those guys were my friends," he said. "I had served with Mr. Colton in Korea with 1-2 Aviation and Mr. Fortenberry was my maintenance pilot here. When you serve together, you form bonds, like family. I feel like I lost two of my brothers that day, their memory will always be with me. To be honored like this is a pretty special occasion."
On the ground that April day was Sgt. Maj. James Ross of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Ross detailed the heroic actions of Fortenberry and Colton in a letter prepared for the ceremony.
"Sir, I wanted you to know from someone that was on the ground that day what a heroic job your pilots did. We were heavily engaged by 20 or so insurgents and were getting down to the last of our ammunition. We knew that without air support we would not be able to secure the convoy and evacuate the wounded. When we called in for air and those Apaches showed up about 15 minutes later, every trooper in my unit cheered as they enabled us to get to a safe location and we watched in horrified silence when the Apache was shot down. Thank you for all that you and your pilots do in support of the troops on the ground."
"Chuck and Shane, we haven't forgotten the example you set," Lewis said. "We haven't forgotten your sacrifices. Every accolade that comes from a ground unit commending my air cavalrymen of their support, bravery or dedication reminds me of you."
Brigade Commander Col. James McConville assisted Lewis in cutting the yellow ribbon in front each door, officially opening the Colton and Fortenberry rooms.
"When you return home, people are going to ask you what you did during the global war on terrorism and what you did in Iraq. I want you to push your chest out proudly and tell them that you served in the 1st Cavalry Division, in the Warrior Brigade, in First Attack. You tell them that you had the honor and privilege of serving with two great American heroes, who we honor today. You tell them about their heroic actions on Easter Sunday, 11 April 2004. How Shane and Chuck responded without delay to a distress call from their brothers on the ground."
As McConville solemnly walked away from the podium, the ceremony was brought to a conclusion as guests were invited to take a tour of the new rooms joining troopers in a reception.
An emotionally wrought Lewis shook hands with Soldiers as he thanked them for coming to the day's ceremony, the loss of his troopers still deeply affecting the commander.
"We wanted to leave something permanent here, so that the next unit will be guided by Chuck and Shane's memory, will know what it takes, what it means to be counted on," he said. "It is my sincere hope that Inge, Jennifer and Lance Colton and Cynthia, Benjamin, Alexander and Nicholas Fortenberry will have an idea of how proud every single trooper in this room is of their husbands and fathers."