Troops injured in battle honored as heroes

Editor's note: I have covered many ceremonies in my time at the Guardian. Many show the harsh realities of military life such as deployment ceremonies, others the happier such as welcome home ceremonies. But none bring the realities of war to light than Purple Heart ceremonies, where Soldiers, injured in battle are honored for their dedication.

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Sept. 7, 2007) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

While on a routine night patrol in southwestern Baghdad Sept. 12, 2006, Private 1st Class Joshua Pettit, D Troop, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, was manning a vehicle-mounted M2 heavy-barrel machine gun when the patrol was ambushed by a squad-sized element of insurgents armed with AK-47s and rocket propelled grenades. Pettit was struck in the chest by AK-47 fire, knocking him from his gunner position.

Disregarding his own safety, he immediately returned to his post and laid down suppressive fire on the enemy, foiling the ambush and causing the insurgents to retreat.

Pettit is one of nine Fort Polk Soldiers awarded a Purple Heart in a ceremony Aug. 31 at the Warrior Community Center. Pettit was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for demonstrating exceptional courage under enemy fire.

“America's sons and daughters have answered the call to duty in this Global War on Terrorism, protecting our nation,” said Col. David Sage, Fort Polk garrison commander. “You are heroes of a modern day battle. A battle where terrorism is the accepted method of aggression, both against Soldiers and civilians.

“We are here to pay tribute to nine (service) members. These Soldiers have a great deal in common with the Soldiers of General George Washington's day -- volunteering to defend their country in its hour of need,” he added.

Sage said the warrior ethos of today's Soldiers is what ties them to the Soldiers of history -- their dedication to defend their country at the risk of personal sacrifice. He reminded the Soldiers honored at the ceremony that they now stand alongside other Purple Heart recipients in U. S. history, now considered American heroes.

“American Soldiers throughout the Army's 213 years have been cut from the same cloth. You are warriors. Your sense of warrior ethos and patriotism runs deep. Your country thanks you.”

Other Soldiers honored with a Purple Heart are:

-- Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Brown, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, for wounds sustained Dec. 7, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while conducting convoy operations, resulting in multiple wounds to his right ankle and foot.

-- Sgt. Christopher Fodge, 204th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, 1st Combat Support Brigade (ME), for wounds sustained Nov. 21, 2006, when a mortar detonated near his position at forward operating base Rustimyah, resulting in multiple wounds from shrapnel.

-- Sgt. Jovan Harris, 258th Military Police Company, 519th MP Bn, 1st CSB (ME), for wounds sustained Aug. 9, 2006, when his vehicle received a direct hit from an IED, resulting in shrapnel wounds to his face and left leg.

-- Sgt. 1st Class Mark Mackey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, for wounds sustained March 7, 2007, when a command-wired IED detonated, resulting in a grade II concussion.

-- Spc. David Miller, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 519th MP Bn, 1st CSB (ME), for wounds sustained July 15, 2006, when his vehicle struck an IED, resulting in shrapnel wounds to his right arm.

-- Spc. Cindy Rosser, 91st Military Police Detachment, 519th MP Bn, 1st CSB (ME), for wounds sustained July 15, 2006, when her vehicle struck an IED, resulting in shrapnel wounds to her right leg.

-- Spc. Harry Thomas, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, for wounds sustained as a gunner Dec. 18, 2006, when his vehicle was struck by a vehicle-borne IED, resulting in head wounds.

-- Sgt. 1st Class Charles Williams, D Company, 2nd Bn, 30th Inf Reg, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, for wounds sustained Nov. 28, 2006, when his platoon came under heavy enemy fire and his vehicle received two direct rocket propelled grenade hits, resulting in shrapnel wounds to his left hand and right cheek.

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