USASOC News 16 Mar 2004

[Team Sergeant]

3rd Special Forces Group Soldiers earn Enduring Freedom valor awards

By Sgt. Jason B. Baker
49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne)

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, March 16, 2004) — Special Forces Soldiers and their families came together during a valor award ceremony for eight soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at the John F. Kennedy Auditorium here March 11.

The Green Berets were recognized for actions performed during a recent deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, their third combat deployment since the start of the Global War on Terrorism.

Brig. Gen. Gary Jones, commanding general of the U. S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) here, and Col. Joseph D. Celeski, 3rd SFG commander, presented three Bronze Star Medals with valor devices, five Army Commendation Medals with valor devices and one Purple Heart.

“These men do not ask for special recognition,� said Celeski during his opening remarks. “But we are recognizing them today because they represent the best of the warriors in our unit.�

Although (Deleted by Peregrino, OPSEC request) didn’t ask for his Bronze Star, he said it was a great honor to receive, modestly admitting that he “just did his job.�

Most of these quiet professionals said the awards were a representation of their team’s valiant efforts during their five months in Afghanistan.

“It’s really about everybody,� said Master Sgt. Michael L. Reynolds, who received a Bronze Star with valor device and a Purple Heart. “I represent my whole team and not just myself.�