Post by gixxer on Nov 30, 2004 9:32:31 GMT -6
Alrighty troopies………….I wanted to share this with you all. I don’t want it to sound as if I am gloating, but I am extremely proud and honored to lead these NCO’s. They were originally honored by MG Symanski on 6 NOV 2004 in a private ceremony held during a secure briefing.
On 21 Nov 2004, in the presence of family and fellow soldiers, SSG Charles Elliott and SGT Kenneth Miller of the 323rd Engineer Detachment (Fire Fighting) were awarded the Soldiers Medal for action taken during our tour in Iraq. Following is the citation read at the ceremony:
The Soldier Medal is presented to SSG Charles Elliott/ SGT Kenneth Miller for exceptionally meritorious achievement, exemplary service, and heroism while serving in the Longknife squadron as a fire fighter in the 323rd Engineer Detachment. On 2 NOV 2003, SSG Elliott/SGT Miller placed himself in extreme danger in order to secure, rescue and evacuate seriously injured soldiers after the lead helicopter was downed by a surface to air missile in the vicinity of Al Fallujah, Iraq. As a first responder, SSG Elliott/ SGT Miller’s actions and obvious willingness to risk his own life to save comrades confirm his dedication to the regiment of mounted riflemen, Combined Joint Task Force Seven, and the United States Army.
I added both names to the citations…the real citations only reflect each individual soldier.
I don’t know if many of you remember this event. On 2 NOV 2003, 2 CH-47's were enroute to Baghdad Intl Airport to drop off troops going on leave from Al Asad (Rifles Base). The lead helicopter was shot down. Elliot and Miller were on the second helicopter. The pilots on bird two landed to attempt to render aid, Elliott and Miller, both being trained in crash-rescue, and being EMT’s, knew what needed to happen and they immediately requested and received permission to attempt to rescue survivors from the still burning wreckage. Bear in mind they did this with no safety equipment to protect themselves. They have both been credited with rescuing 20 soldiers, one of which would die days later, pulling them away from the flames and then rallying the other troops from their helicopter to provide first aid while they went back to try and get the deceased….Both Elliott and Miller were eventually themselves medevac’d out to be treated for burns, smoke inhalation, cuts.
We originally tried to submit them for a Silver Star, but because their was no actual ground combat at the crash sight they were not eligible, ditto when we tried to get them Purple Hearts for their injuries…it was deemed their injuries were caused post crash and not during ground combat…go figure. So we aimed for the highest non combat decoration a soldier can get…eventually after a year they were awarded the medal they deserve.
On 21 Nov 2004, in the presence of family and fellow soldiers, SSG Charles Elliott and SGT Kenneth Miller of the 323rd Engineer Detachment (Fire Fighting) were awarded the Soldiers Medal for action taken during our tour in Iraq. Following is the citation read at the ceremony:
The Soldier Medal is presented to SSG Charles Elliott/ SGT Kenneth Miller for exceptionally meritorious achievement, exemplary service, and heroism while serving in the Longknife squadron as a fire fighter in the 323rd Engineer Detachment. On 2 NOV 2003, SSG Elliott/SGT Miller placed himself in extreme danger in order to secure, rescue and evacuate seriously injured soldiers after the lead helicopter was downed by a surface to air missile in the vicinity of Al Fallujah, Iraq. As a first responder, SSG Elliott/ SGT Miller’s actions and obvious willingness to risk his own life to save comrades confirm his dedication to the regiment of mounted riflemen, Combined Joint Task Force Seven, and the United States Army.
I added both names to the citations…the real citations only reflect each individual soldier.
I don’t know if many of you remember this event. On 2 NOV 2003, 2 CH-47's were enroute to Baghdad Intl Airport to drop off troops going on leave from Al Asad (Rifles Base). The lead helicopter was shot down. Elliot and Miller were on the second helicopter. The pilots on bird two landed to attempt to render aid, Elliott and Miller, both being trained in crash-rescue, and being EMT’s, knew what needed to happen and they immediately requested and received permission to attempt to rescue survivors from the still burning wreckage. Bear in mind they did this with no safety equipment to protect themselves. They have both been credited with rescuing 20 soldiers, one of which would die days later, pulling them away from the flames and then rallying the other troops from their helicopter to provide first aid while they went back to try and get the deceased….Both Elliott and Miller were eventually themselves medevac’d out to be treated for burns, smoke inhalation, cuts.
We originally tried to submit them for a Silver Star, but because their was no actual ground combat at the crash sight they were not eligible, ditto when we tried to get them Purple Hearts for their injuries…it was deemed their injuries were caused post crash and not during ground combat…go figure. So we aimed for the highest non combat decoration a soldier can get…eventually after a year they were awarded the medal they deserve.
