Memorial Weekend is upon us, and once again I’m moved, awed, and humbled by stories of bravery and heroism from them men and women of today’s US military.

The must read post of the weekend is over at Black Five — it’s a report on President Bush visiting Ft. Bragg for All American Week and “to present some medals to deserving paratroopers and their families.”

The article isn’t about President Bush. Read the article if for no other reason than to read the remarkable medal citations of these remarkable men:

Sgt. Christopher Corriveau —  awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for for extraordinary heroism in action — “Specialist Corriveau’s exceptional courage and tactical prowess under intense enemy fire and close combat contributed to the defeat of a concerted enemy effort to overrun his sniper position.  Surrounded and attacked by an enemy force ten times superior to that of his own, Specialist Corriveau and his fellow paratroopers valiantly repelled the enemy attack with withering small arms fire and grenades.  His four-man sniper team courageously fought off an overwhelming enemy force for control of the rooftop for over ten minutes in close combat, killing or wounding at least ten enemies in the process.”

Sgt. Eric Moser (a Texas boy) — awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for for extraordinary heroism in action — awarded the medal as part of the same sniper team and for the same actions as Sgt. Corriveau.

Staff Sgt. Peter Rohrs (another Texan and a Medic)— awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action — While serving as a Flight Medic, his selfless actions were directly responsible for the rescue of twelve critically wounded coalition Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class Ronald D. Strickland — awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action — performed with marked distinction while engaged with an armed enemy during operation Kulang Hellion, near Kajaki Sofla , Afghanistan .  With total disregard for his own life, he braved hostile fire in an attempt to rescue the crew of an aircraft shot down by enemy fire.  He secured the crash site, engaging the attacking enemy with multiple weapons, and prevented the Taliban from capturing his fellow Soldiers.

Sgt. 1st Class William Tomlin —  awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action — Distinguished himself by acts of conspicuous gallantry in action against an enemy force that outnumbered his own by six to one.  SFC Tomlin led several dismounted counterattacks against the enemy, at the risk of his own life and demonstrated leadership, personal courage, and selfless dedication.  His example of bravery under fire was the key component to turning a dire situation into a complete victory for the task force.

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The following awards  were awarded posthumously to the families of these heros:

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Sebban —Barbara Walsh accepted the Silver Star on her son’s behalf — Sebban placed himself in a position of danger warning his fellow Paratroopers of an approaching vehicle borne explosive device. Although Sebban suffered life threatening injuries he provided medical care to his comrades until he succumbed to his injuries. His ultimate sacrifice is credited with saving the lives of more than 86 Paratroopers.

Sgt. Charles Wyckoff —  Erika Wyckoff and their two children accepted the Distinguished Service Cross on her husband’s behalf — While engaged in close combat, Wyckoff revealed his position fatally engaging two insurgents to save the lives of his platoon keeping with the finest traditions of military service.

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I am in awe — humbling, forever-grateful awe — of these men.

Some Most men run from danger, others run towards it. These men are the later.

This picture of President Bush and Mrs. Walsh is particularly poignant.  Especially the demeanor of the commander of the 82nd Abn. Div., Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez. You can almost feel the deep, sorrowful respect emanating from his body language.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Friday, May 23rd, 2008 | Trackback |