thedrifter
09-11-05, 05:52 AM
Bronze Stars for their work
By Scott Travis
Staff Writer
September 11, 2005
Sgt. Christopher O'Brian led a team of Marines across 6,600 square miles of enemy territory, helping to ensure safe elections in Iraq earlier this year.
Capt. Timothy DeBruler, in separate deployment, led a group of Marines to regain control of the Iraqi town of al Kut after enemy forces seized it last year.
Their actions earned them Bronze Star medals from the U.S. Marine Corps. They received the awards at a brief ceremony Saturday at 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, or ANGLICO Reserve Center. Both Marines are part of the reserve unit west of West Palm Beach.
About 200 fellow reservists, bedecked in brown camouflage uniforms, stood behind them and saluted as they received the honors.
The Bronze Star, the fourth-highest award in the U.S. Armed Services, is given for bravery, heroism and meritorious service.
"The most impressive thing I've found is not only their leadership skills but the immense respect they have gained with the Marines in their company," said Lt. Col. Peter Ahern, active-duty commanding officer with the reserve unit.
O'Brian, who lives in Fort Myers, is a medic with the Broward Sheriff's Office fire and rescue division. He served in Iraq from October 2004 to May. His unit destroyed a cache of insurgent weapons before getting ambushed by a roadside bomb, he said.
He used his paramedic training to treat some injured members of the Iraqi National Guard, he said. The unit faced constant enemy fire, but persevered and helped secure the areas of Iraq for its first national elections, which were held in January, according to his citation.
O'Brian said he was thrilled to be in Iraq during the elections
"There were people showing us their fingers with black ink on them," he said, referring to the method used to ensure Iraqi citizens voted only once. "It was kind of like a party on the street. Everyone was excited."
O'Brian said the toughest part of his deployment was leaving his family behind. He and his wife, Angela, have three young daughters. But, he said, the unit provided a satellite phone, on which Marines could see and talk to loved ones back home.
DeBruler, of Chicago, was single at the time of his deployment, but is now married. His wife, Jennifer, has a baby due in 21/2 weeks.
He was in Iraq from March to October 2004. He led a team that provided air support to multi-national forces, mainly from the Ukraine and Poland, and assisted the U.S. Army Special Forces.
The Marines battled rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which had taken control of 75 percent of the al Kut. DeBruler's team fired numerous AC-130 strikes against enemy soldiers, from a building in al Kut, killing more than 200 of the militia's soldiers.
"After that, they basically didn't want to play anymore," DeBruler said. "We demoralized them."
DeBruler and O'Brian are the fourth and fifth members of the ANGLICO Reserve to earn Bronze Stars since the Iraq war began in 2003, Ahern said.
Another reservist, Staff Sgt. Danny Etzwiler Jr., of Plantation, will receive a Bronze Star for his efforts in directing a precision deployment of weapons systems in al Kut, according to his citation. He also provided emergency medical treatment to wounded soldiers and to Marines in his unit.
He was out of town Saturday and will receive his award later, Ahern said.
Scott Travis can be reached at stravis@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6637.
Ellie
By Scott Travis
Staff Writer
September 11, 2005
Sgt. Christopher O'Brian led a team of Marines across 6,600 square miles of enemy territory, helping to ensure safe elections in Iraq earlier this year.
Capt. Timothy DeBruler, in separate deployment, led a group of Marines to regain control of the Iraqi town of al Kut after enemy forces seized it last year.
Their actions earned them Bronze Star medals from the U.S. Marine Corps. They received the awards at a brief ceremony Saturday at 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, or ANGLICO Reserve Center. Both Marines are part of the reserve unit west of West Palm Beach.
About 200 fellow reservists, bedecked in brown camouflage uniforms, stood behind them and saluted as they received the honors.
The Bronze Star, the fourth-highest award in the U.S. Armed Services, is given for bravery, heroism and meritorious service.
"The most impressive thing I've found is not only their leadership skills but the immense respect they have gained with the Marines in their company," said Lt. Col. Peter Ahern, active-duty commanding officer with the reserve unit.
O'Brian, who lives in Fort Myers, is a medic with the Broward Sheriff's Office fire and rescue division. He served in Iraq from October 2004 to May. His unit destroyed a cache of insurgent weapons before getting ambushed by a roadside bomb, he said.
He used his paramedic training to treat some injured members of the Iraqi National Guard, he said. The unit faced constant enemy fire, but persevered and helped secure the areas of Iraq for its first national elections, which were held in January, according to his citation.
O'Brian said he was thrilled to be in Iraq during the elections
"There were people showing us their fingers with black ink on them," he said, referring to the method used to ensure Iraqi citizens voted only once. "It was kind of like a party on the street. Everyone was excited."
O'Brian said the toughest part of his deployment was leaving his family behind. He and his wife, Angela, have three young daughters. But, he said, the unit provided a satellite phone, on which Marines could see and talk to loved ones back home.
DeBruler, of Chicago, was single at the time of his deployment, but is now married. His wife, Jennifer, has a baby due in 21/2 weeks.
He was in Iraq from March to October 2004. He led a team that provided air support to multi-national forces, mainly from the Ukraine and Poland, and assisted the U.S. Army Special Forces.
The Marines battled rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which had taken control of 75 percent of the al Kut. DeBruler's team fired numerous AC-130 strikes against enemy soldiers, from a building in al Kut, killing more than 200 of the militia's soldiers.
"After that, they basically didn't want to play anymore," DeBruler said. "We demoralized them."
DeBruler and O'Brian are the fourth and fifth members of the ANGLICO Reserve to earn Bronze Stars since the Iraq war began in 2003, Ahern said.
Another reservist, Staff Sgt. Danny Etzwiler Jr., of Plantation, will receive a Bronze Star for his efforts in directing a precision deployment of weapons systems in al Kut, according to his citation. He also provided emergency medical treatment to wounded soldiers and to Marines in his unit.
He was out of town Saturday and will receive his award later, Ahern said.
Scott Travis can be reached at stravis@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6637.
Ellie