Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, gives an MNC-I coin to Spc. Victor Desoto, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion Aug. 29, at Forward Operating Base Hammer.by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd BCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq– Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander, made multiple appearances to talk with and present awards to 3rd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers on Aug. 29.
During his visit to the 3rd BCT’s area of operation, Odierno’s first stop was Forward Operating Base Hammer. He met with Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of the 3rd HBCT, and staff officers of the brigade who briefed Odierno on the current situation in the Mada’in Qada, the unit’s area of operation.
Before the meeting, Odierno administered the oath of enlistment to Spc. Steven Lynn, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery. Lynn was the 3rd HBCT’s 210th Soldier to re-enlist in fiscal year 2007. His oath allowed the brigade to meet its re-enlistment goal for the fiscal year.
“There are still things I haven’t got to do yet that I just want to do,” Lynn said. “I’m thinking about making it a career.”
Odierno expressed to the audience his pride in the Soldiers for their accomplishments and dedication to the Army. He said it is Soldiers like Lynn who make the U.S. Army successful.
“We all started for different reasons,” Odierno said, “but we are all fighting for the same reason.”
While at FOB Hammer, Odierno also presented five Soldiers with MNC-I coins, for a job well done.
Among those who received coins were: Spc. Victor Desoto, Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Spc. Alexander Hardy, Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Spc. Faith Ellis, Headquarters Troop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Lt. John Enfinger, Headquarters Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, Sgt. 1st Class Perry Flournoy, Company B, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion,
After visiting with the Soldiers from FOB Hammer, Odierno traveled to Patrol Base Assassin where Soldiers of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment call home.
During his visit Odierno awarded seven troop Soldiers MNC-I coins for a job well done.
Among those who received coins were: 2nd Lt. Kenneth Beasley, Sgt. Charles A. Tupper, Cpl. Faimafiliotamaitai, Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Gowins, Sgt. Treron W. Norris, Spc. James McLemore, Pfc. Steven E. Bates
From PB Assassin, Odierno flew to Combat Outpost Cleary. There he awarded two Soldier’s Medals and one Purple Heart to three deserving 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Soldiers.
Sgt. Christofer Kittomand and Sgt. Michael Pesamoska, snipers, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, demonstrated exceptional heroism by saving the life of fellow Soldiers on April 24, according to battalion leaders.
During a combat patrol, one of the unit’s vehicles rolled into an irrigation canal and submerged under water. After the doors to the toppled vehicle were opened, both Kitto and Pesamoska held their breath and went underwater pulling out the three Soldiers remaining in the vehicle.
1-15 Infantry leaders say, had it not been for their actions during the incident, the Soldiers of the submerged vehicle would have drowned.
After all personnel were safely out of the vehicle, Kitto and Pesamoska went back underwater and recovered more than $1 million worth of sensitive items and equipment.
“The most important thing about the Army is, you know when you wear this uniform, someone is going to be there with you to help you in a bad situation,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciolola, 49, Elizabeth, N.J., senior non-commissioned officer of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, who accompanied Odierno on his visit. “We depend on that totally, especially out here in an environment like this. We depend on each other every single day.”
During his visit, Odierno also pinned the Purple Heart on Pfc. Jason Lyons, 1-15 Infantry. Lyons received the award for the shrapnel injuries to his shoulder and leg when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle June 1.
Odierno also promoted Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Wright, 1-15 Infantry, from the rank of staff sergeant to the rank of sergeant first class.
“I want to make sure you all understand you are making a difference out here,” Odierno said. “The progress we are making is slow but sustained.”
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq– Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander, made multiple appearances to talk with and present awards to 3rd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers on Aug. 29.
During his visit to the 3rd BCT’s area of operation, Odierno’s first stop was Forward Operating Base Hammer. He met with Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of the 3rd HBCT, and staff officers of the brigade who briefed Odierno on the current situation in the Mada’in Qada, the unit’s area of operation.
Before the meeting, Odierno administered the oath of enlistment to Spc. Steven Lynn, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery. Lynn was the 3rd HBCT’s 210th Soldier to re-enlist in fiscal year 2007. His oath allowed the brigade to meet its re-enlistment goal for the fiscal year.
“There are still things I haven’t got to do yet that I just want to do,” Lynn said. “I’m thinking about making it a career.”
Odierno expressed to the audience his pride in the Soldiers for their accomplishments and dedication to the Army. He said it is Soldiers like Lynn who make the U.S. Army successful.
“We all started for different reasons,” Odierno said, “but we are all fighting for the same reason.”
While at FOB Hammer, Odierno also presented five Soldiers with MNC-I coins, for a job well done.
Among those who received coins were: Spc. Victor Desoto, Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Spc. Alexander Hardy, Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Spc. Faith Ellis, Headquarters Troop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Lt. John Enfinger, Headquarters Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, Sgt. 1st Class Perry Flournoy, Company B, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion,
After visiting with the Soldiers from FOB Hammer, Odierno traveled to Patrol Base Assassin where Soldiers of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment call home.
During his visit Odierno awarded seven troop Soldiers MNC-I coins for a job well done.
Among those who received coins were: 2nd Lt. Kenneth Beasley, Sgt. Charles A. Tupper, Cpl. Faimafiliotamaitai, Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Gowins, Sgt. Treron W. Norris, Spc. James McLemore, Pfc. Steven E. Bates
From PB Assassin, Odierno flew to Combat Outpost Cleary. There he awarded two Soldier’s Medals and one Purple Heart to three deserving 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Soldiers.
Sgt. Christofer Kittomand and Sgt. Michael Pesamoska, snipers, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, demonstrated exceptional heroism by saving the life of fellow Soldiers on April 24, according to battalion leaders.
During a combat patrol, one of the unit’s vehicles rolled into an irrigation canal and submerged under water. After the doors to the toppled vehicle were opened, both Kitto and Pesamoska held their breath and went underwater pulling out the three Soldiers remaining in the vehicle.
1-15 Infantry leaders say, had it not been for their actions during the incident, the Soldiers of the submerged vehicle would have drowned.
After all personnel were safely out of the vehicle, Kitto and Pesamoska went back underwater and recovered more than $1 million worth of sensitive items and equipment.
“The most important thing about the Army is, you know when you wear this uniform, someone is going to be there with you to help you in a bad situation,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciolola, 49, Elizabeth, N.J., senior non-commissioned officer of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, who accompanied Odierno on his visit. “We depend on that totally, especially out here in an environment like this. We depend on each other every single day.”
During his visit, Odierno also pinned the Purple Heart on Pfc. Jason Lyons, 1-15 Infantry. Lyons received the award for the shrapnel injuries to his shoulder and leg when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle June 1.
Odierno also promoted Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Wright, 1-15 Infantry, from the rank of staff sergeant to the rank of sergeant first class.
“I want to make sure you all understand you are making a difference out here,” Odierno said. “The progress we are making is slow but sustained.”
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment