[Dan]

RELEASE NUMBER: 070221-01
DATE POSTED: FEBRUARY 21, 2007

SOF Soldiers honored
By Spc. Daniel Love
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Feb. 21, 2007) – 39 Special Forces Soldiers were honored in an awards ceremony at Ritz-Epps Fitness Center, Fort Bragg, N.C., Feb. 21 for valorous actions during 2006 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom campaigns.

Lt. Gen. Robert Wagner, commanding General of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, presented two Silver Stars, one Soldier’s Medal, 11 Bronze Stars for Valor, 19 Purple Hearts, 22 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation to members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

“This valor award ceremony is not only about recognizing the great accomplishments of the Soldiers before you, but it’s also to pass on to a new generation of Special Forces Soldiers and young Americans a knowledge of the sacrifices and bravery displayed by the generation that preceded them,” said Col. Edward M. Reeder Jr., 7th SFG (Airborne) commander. “The young children here today will not understand now, but one day they will realize that their brave fathers believed that America as a nation and an ideal is worth fighting for and at times, dieing for.”

In Afghanistan, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (Airborne) Soldiers were integrated into a joint task force, named Special Operations Task Force 73. The SOTF-73 had an extensive list of accomplishments from 2006, including training 2,500 Afghan soldiers, conducting over 2,300 combat missions, and neutralizing 1,178 enemy fighters.

“(They) have proven time and time again that (they) will not allow insurgent leadership to regain control of Afghanistan,” Reeder said. “(They) were responsible for not only giving Afghans a better tomorrow but also keeping terror off of our soil and for that we owe a debt of gratitude.”

Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (Airborne) Soldiers deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The company conducted 186 direct action operations to capture and kill high value targets, resulting in 200 personnel captured and over 50 enemy personnel killed.

“The Soldiers awarded today certainly could not have foreseen the life-changing events that were about to happen as they prepared for combat operations,” said Reeder. “It was their training, professionalism, and dedication to each other that enabled them to perform their duties under the most extraordinary circumstances.”

Two of the Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, CW2 Angel DeJesus and Staff Sgt. Erasmo Espino, were awarded the Silver Star for Valor in recognition of their actions during a May 19, 2006 ambush. When their detachment was attacked by 150-200 enemy fighters, they orchestrated a fighting escape, saving many lives.

“I think that this medal goes to my whole team,” DeJesus said. “They are my family; without them, it would never have happened. I just did something for my brothers that they would have done for me.”

DeJesus said that he was proud that his wife and daughter could see him receive the award but felt that he didn’t deserve such an honor because he was only doing what had to be done.

“The most important part of the ceremony is the recognition of valor,” said Lt. Gen. Wagner. “The history of our nation rides on the backs of valorous heroes like the ones we are recognizing today, and there’s no way we could ever repay these people for what they do.”

List of Awardees:
Silver Star for Valor
CW2 Angel DeJesus
Staff Sgt. Erasmo Espino

Soldier’s Medal
Staff Sgt. Gary Wedemann

Bronze Star for Valor
Sgt. 1st Class Michael A. Bergstrom
Staff Sgt. Elisha R. Bremmer
WO1 Luis Chamorro
Staff Sgt. Jose A. Guitierrez
Sgt. 1st Class Carl F. Harris
Staff Sgt. Mark R. Hawver
Staff Sgt. Craig G. Kubala II
Sgt. 1st Class Antonio D. Pastor
Staff Sgt. Brandon B. Pechette
Staff Sgt. James H. Sanchez
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. Serna

Purple Heart:
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Binney
Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Candelario
Sgt. 1st Class John Fishetti
WO1 Luis Chamorro
Staff Sgt. Craig G. Kubala II
Staff Sgt. James H. Sanchez (two purple hearts)
Sgt. 1st Class Eric C. Horton
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. Serna
Sgt. 1st Class John C. Hunnings
Capt. Matthew N. Johnsen (two purple hearts)
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Lopez
Sgt. 1st Class Darren S. Markwick
WO1 James A. Mayernik
Sgt. 1st Class Sean D. Mullins
Sgt. Joshua S. Parton
Sgt. Jimmie L. Russell
Sgt. 1st Class Oscar B. Wynne

Army Commendation Medal for Valor
Staff Sgt. Ariel Aponte
Capt. James D. Ballard
Sgt. Dustin E. Davis
Master Sgt. Keith Fedo (two ARCOM for Valor awards)
Cpt. David W. Gunther
Staff Sgt. James H. Sanchez
Sgt. 1st Class Sean D. Mullins (Two ARCOM for Valor awards)
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. Serna (Two ARCOM for Valor awards)
WO1 Luis Chamorro
Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Hankel
Staff Sgt. Elisha R. Bremmer
Staff Sgt. Robert Martinez
Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Moses
Staff Sgt. David M. Nolan
Sgt. 1st Class Donnie M. Ochiltree
Sgt. 1st Class Eddy Rojas
Staff Sgt. Rumaldo Rosas III

Meritorious Unit Commendation
Group Support Company, 7th Special Forces Group