3rd HBCT Soldiers Receive Bronze Stars

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, pins the Bronze Star medal to Pfc. Stephanie McCulley, a combat medic with Headquarters Company, 3rd HBCT, of Uniontown, Pa., during a ceremony, June 1, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, pins the Bronze Star medal to Staff Sgt. Michael Henderson, a section sergeant for Headquarters Troop, 3rd HBCT, of Vidor, Texas, during a ceremony, June 1, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – In a ceremony on June 1 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, two Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team were awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Staff Sgt. Michael Henderson, a section sergeant, Headquarters Troop, 3rd HBCT, of Vidor, Texas, and Pfc. Stephanie McCulley, a combat medic with Headquarters Troop, 3rd HBCT, of Uniontown, Pa., were presented their awards by Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of 3rd HBCT.

Both Soldiers were recognized for their actions on May 8 when a humvee in their convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device, killing two Soldiers and severely injuring one. The pair left the safety of their vehicle and rushed to the damaged vehicle to treat the injured Soldier.

“What amazed me was how quickly Henderson and McCulley got to the disabled vehicle,” said Capt. Stephen Hemmann, a platoon leader from St. Louis, Mo. “The smoke hadn’t cleared yet and they were running through the danger area to get to the injured. They had no thought for their own safety and made up their mind to get to that vehicle without worrying about the threat. Their only concern was their fellow Soldiers. I have no doubt that if they had not done what they did, we would have lost three Soldiers that day. Their actions saved a life.”

Sgt. 1st Class James Mahurin, the platoon sergeant for the awardees, of Modesto, Calif., had high praise for both of his Soldiers.

“There is no one else I can imagine doing Sergeant Henderson’s job,” explained Mahurin. “When he’s out on patrol, he’s “switched on” and definitely knows what he’s doing. He is a well-liked leader among his Soldiers. They follow his orders immediately. I can always count on him.”

Mahurin was as complimentary of McCulley. “She is a great asset to our team,” he said. “She operates at a level much higher than her rank would indicate. When things need to get done, she always finds a way. She provides an excellent example for everyone around her.”