[Dan]

RELEASE NUMBER: 050920-02
DATE POSTED: SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

Father of fallen Green Beret accepts son's Bronze Star Medal
By Sgt. Joe Healy
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 20, 2005) — The father of a deceased Special Forces Soldier accepted his son's posthumous Bronze Star Medal with “V” device during a formal ceremony at the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Headquarters Sept. 20.

Ernest Piper, a longtime resident of Marblehead, Mass., received the medal. His son, Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 43, was a communications sergeant, assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th SFG (A). Staff Sgt. Piper was critically injured June 3, 2005 near Orgun-e, Afghanistan when an enemy improvised explosive device detonated near his Ground Mobility Vehicle during operations in Afghanistan’s southeastern region.

He died June 16, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, from combat wounds.

Approximately 150 family members, friends and comrades-in-arms attended the awards ceremony.

“This is a very emotional day for my family,” Ernest Piper said.

He reiterated his thanks to U.S. Army Special Operations Command for their support in organizing his son’s funeral. The funeral received media coverage throughout New England’s newspapers and television stations, Piper indicated.

He also mentioned that he is proud his son Christopher died at Brooke Army Medical Center because it is the same hospital he once served as an Army medic in 1947.

“Sergeant Piper was an American patriot,” said Col. Ed Reeder, commander, 7th SFG (A). “He knew that America is the light of liberty and hope for the world.”

The Bronze Star Medal with “V” device was presented to Piper for heroic achievement in combat Mar. 12, 2003.

According to the award citation, Staff Sgt. Piper and his 12-man Special Forces team came under attack while executing an armed reconnaissance patrol. With rocket fire, tracers and incoming rounds erupting around him, Piper fearlessly reinforced his forward element with weapons and ammunition while suppressing enemy fire.

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.

The Valor device (or "V" device) is authorized by all services and is awarded to represent valor and does not denote an additional award.

-usasoc-