[Basenshukai]

CW2 DeJesus and SSG Espino are both personal friends. I have had the priviledge of working with both of them and I have also gone in combat operations with them and their detachment. They are part of an exceptional group of men. I am proud to know them. I wrote both of their award citations not five hours from their combat action. They are well deserved.

I'll tell you this, their detachment alone suffered two KIAs throughout their rotation. Two of their detachment members were wounded in combat in twice (two separate firefights). CW2 DeJesus was shot in the arm while running through the kill zone (!) to save his captain. Here you have the kind of men that continued to man turret positions during firefights even after parts of their crew-served weapons were shot off. This detachment is currently the highest decorated detachment in the Group: 2 Silver Stars, nine Bronze Stars with V and 9 Purple Hearts. I love those guys!!! I am so proud of them.