Dan
10-05-2007, 06:32
RELEASE NUMBER: 071004-04
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 4, 2007
3rd Special Forces Group Soldiers recognized for valor in Afghanistan
By Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 4, 2007) – Thirty-nine members of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) received awards during a ceremony held on Meadows Field Oct. 4, for their valorous actions over the course of their last deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“This is more than a great day for the 3rd Special Forces Group and our families; this is a remarkable day,” said Col. Christopher K. Haas, commander, 3rd SFG during his closing remarks. “I would even characterize it for the 3rd Special Forces Group as a historic day.”
During the ceremony six Silver Stars, eight Purple Hearts, 15 Bronze Stars and 23 Army Commendation Medals for valor were awarded. In an interview, Haas stated that the amount of awards presented during the ceremony correlated to the increase in enemy activity experienced during the deployment compared with group’s previous deployments.
As the citations were read, it gave account to an emboldened enemy in Afghanistan who has increased its size and sophistication of attacks against U.S., Afghan and Coalition Forces. The theme that rang more clearly with each citation was that of the grit and valor of the American Green Beret to succeed against overwhelming odds.
Each Green Beret stepped forward as his Silver Star citation was read before the formation and audience of hundreds of friends, Families and other Soldiers.
For one Silver Star recipient it is the recognition, more than the award itself that is most gratifying and humbling.
“The individual who wrote the award and suggested that it is what I deserve, that is what means a lot to me,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew J. Julian, Co. B, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG. “Ninety percent of the time it is someone who has more experience than you and you look up to them. It means a lot to have some one you look up to say, what you did was outstanding and you deserve this award; that is what I appreciate the most.”
Though the awards are given to individuals, the recipients viewed the recognition as larger than themselves.
“I went over with a great team, and we all did what we had to do,” said Silver Star recipient Master Sgt. Haldon H. Huber, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG. “Each and every one of them deserve this moment.”
Huber, who also received two Bronze Stars with V device, was credited in his citation with moving his vehicle forward under the intense fire of an ambush to draw the enemies’ fire away from members of his patrol who were pinned down. Once the fire became too intense he exited the vehicle so he could return fire with a 60mm mortar to allow the rest of the patrol to withdraw and consolidate. With the group reorganized he then went to assist in evacuating and providing aid to the casualties. As the patrol made its way back to the firebase Huber returned fire and covered the trail of the patrol for over six kilometers.
During the closing remarks Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, gave credit to all of the Soldiers gathered on the field.
“We gave some awards to some very distinguished individuals,” said Wagner “But from my perspective there is not a person on this field who isn’t a hero, a hero of our nation. Each one of you represents the very best of America.”
Currently the majority of 3rd SFG is being deployed to Afghanistan for their sixth rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
--usasoc--
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 4, 2007
3rd Special Forces Group Soldiers recognized for valor in Afghanistan
By Sgt. 1st Class Jason B. Baker
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 4, 2007) – Thirty-nine members of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) received awards during a ceremony held on Meadows Field Oct. 4, for their valorous actions over the course of their last deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“This is more than a great day for the 3rd Special Forces Group and our families; this is a remarkable day,” said Col. Christopher K. Haas, commander, 3rd SFG during his closing remarks. “I would even characterize it for the 3rd Special Forces Group as a historic day.”
During the ceremony six Silver Stars, eight Purple Hearts, 15 Bronze Stars and 23 Army Commendation Medals for valor were awarded. In an interview, Haas stated that the amount of awards presented during the ceremony correlated to the increase in enemy activity experienced during the deployment compared with group’s previous deployments.
As the citations were read, it gave account to an emboldened enemy in Afghanistan who has increased its size and sophistication of attacks against U.S., Afghan and Coalition Forces. The theme that rang more clearly with each citation was that of the grit and valor of the American Green Beret to succeed against overwhelming odds.
Each Green Beret stepped forward as his Silver Star citation was read before the formation and audience of hundreds of friends, Families and other Soldiers.
For one Silver Star recipient it is the recognition, more than the award itself that is most gratifying and humbling.
“The individual who wrote the award and suggested that it is what I deserve, that is what means a lot to me,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew J. Julian, Co. B, 1st Bn., 3rd SFG. “Ninety percent of the time it is someone who has more experience than you and you look up to them. It means a lot to have some one you look up to say, what you did was outstanding and you deserve this award; that is what I appreciate the most.”
Though the awards are given to individuals, the recipients viewed the recognition as larger than themselves.
“I went over with a great team, and we all did what we had to do,” said Silver Star recipient Master Sgt. Haldon H. Huber, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG. “Each and every one of them deserve this moment.”
Huber, who also received two Bronze Stars with V device, was credited in his citation with moving his vehicle forward under the intense fire of an ambush to draw the enemies’ fire away from members of his patrol who were pinned down. Once the fire became too intense he exited the vehicle so he could return fire with a 60mm mortar to allow the rest of the patrol to withdraw and consolidate. With the group reorganized he then went to assist in evacuating and providing aid to the casualties. As the patrol made its way back to the firebase Huber returned fire and covered the trail of the patrol for over six kilometers.
During the closing remarks Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, gave credit to all of the Soldiers gathered on the field.
“We gave some awards to some very distinguished individuals,” said Wagner “But from my perspective there is not a person on this field who isn’t a hero, a hero of our nation. Each one of you represents the very best of America.”
Currently the majority of 3rd SFG is being deployed to Afghanistan for their sixth rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
--usasoc--