thedrifter
10-23-06, 07:50 AM
Silver Star bittersweet for soldier
October 23,2006
MICAH MASSEI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sgt. 1st Class Chad Stephens doesn’t consider himself a hero. He just says he’s someone “who takes care of his soldiers.”
Stephens, a platoon sergeant in the Army National Guard, did more than that on June 24, 2004, while on patrol in Baqubah, Iraq, with his unit — 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 120th Infantry. As a result, on Sunday the Jacksonville native became the first North Carolina National Guardsman to receive the Silver Star since World War II.
With his family looking on in a ceremony at the National Guard armory in his hometown, Stephens stood proudly in a light rain as Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., adjutant general of the N.C. National Guard, pinned upon his chest the nation’s third-highest military award for valor in the face of the enemy.
“This is a great day and I appreciate the recognition,” Stephens said. “I think soldiers should be recognized more. But, I would give it all back if it could bring Captain Cash and Specialist Desens back. I wish they could be here today. They’re just as honorable to receive this award as I am.”
Stephens was referring to Capt. Christopher Cash, Alpha Company’s commander, and Spc. Daniel A. Desens, who were killed in the action that day at Baqubah. Not a day goes by, he said, that he doesn’t think of it.
“You have a tendency to ask yourself, ‘Should I have done this, should I have done that?’ But, I believe everything happens for a reason,” Stephens said. “It’s hard to lose anyone … but, I’m proud of what I and the other men and women do out there, and I’m proud to defend this country.”
Proud, too, was Cash’s widow, Dawn, who was in attendance for Sunday’s ceremony.
“I felt like I needed to be here for Chris,” she said. “He would have wanted to be here. He would have been proud of Sgt. Stephens. This is an honorable day … he deserves it.”
According to the citation, during combat operations Stephens “heroically and without regard for his personal safety, led his platoon in heavy combat with enemy attempting to control the city. After fighting through two ambushes, he led his platoon to a casualty collection point to treat the wounded. To evacuate the gunner of his wingman, Stephens crossed 50 meters in open terrain while small arms impacted him as he ran.”
The citation stated that Stephens mounted the turret and retrieved a soldier from the hatch and lowered him to waiting medics as rounds hit the vehicle and other soldiers drove to safety. Stephens returned in his Bradley fighting vehicle under continuing fire. He reorganized the platoon and led a move to a forward operating base even as his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and his gunner was severely wounded.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for me to present this award to Sgt. Stephens,” Ingram said during the ceremony. “Loyalty, duty, honor, respect, integrity, selfless-service, personal courage — Sgt. Stephens embodies those qualities. I could not be more proud or more honored to make this presentation.”
Stephens plans to stay in the National Guard for another six years and said, “If they call me (back) to Iraq — I’ll be ready. I’ll always be ready.”
Ellie
October 23,2006
MICAH MASSEI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Sgt. 1st Class Chad Stephens doesn’t consider himself a hero. He just says he’s someone “who takes care of his soldiers.”
Stephens, a platoon sergeant in the Army National Guard, did more than that on June 24, 2004, while on patrol in Baqubah, Iraq, with his unit — 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 120th Infantry. As a result, on Sunday the Jacksonville native became the first North Carolina National Guardsman to receive the Silver Star since World War II.
With his family looking on in a ceremony at the National Guard armory in his hometown, Stephens stood proudly in a light rain as Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., adjutant general of the N.C. National Guard, pinned upon his chest the nation’s third-highest military award for valor in the face of the enemy.
“This is a great day and I appreciate the recognition,” Stephens said. “I think soldiers should be recognized more. But, I would give it all back if it could bring Captain Cash and Specialist Desens back. I wish they could be here today. They’re just as honorable to receive this award as I am.”
Stephens was referring to Capt. Christopher Cash, Alpha Company’s commander, and Spc. Daniel A. Desens, who were killed in the action that day at Baqubah. Not a day goes by, he said, that he doesn’t think of it.
“You have a tendency to ask yourself, ‘Should I have done this, should I have done that?’ But, I believe everything happens for a reason,” Stephens said. “It’s hard to lose anyone … but, I’m proud of what I and the other men and women do out there, and I’m proud to defend this country.”
Proud, too, was Cash’s widow, Dawn, who was in attendance for Sunday’s ceremony.
“I felt like I needed to be here for Chris,” she said. “He would have wanted to be here. He would have been proud of Sgt. Stephens. This is an honorable day … he deserves it.”
According to the citation, during combat operations Stephens “heroically and without regard for his personal safety, led his platoon in heavy combat with enemy attempting to control the city. After fighting through two ambushes, he led his platoon to a casualty collection point to treat the wounded. To evacuate the gunner of his wingman, Stephens crossed 50 meters in open terrain while small arms impacted him as he ran.”
The citation stated that Stephens mounted the turret and retrieved a soldier from the hatch and lowered him to waiting medics as rounds hit the vehicle and other soldiers drove to safety. Stephens returned in his Bradley fighting vehicle under continuing fire. He reorganized the platoon and led a move to a forward operating base even as his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and his gunner was severely wounded.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for me to present this award to Sgt. Stephens,” Ingram said during the ceremony. “Loyalty, duty, honor, respect, integrity, selfless-service, personal courage — Sgt. Stephens embodies those qualities. I could not be more proud or more honored to make this presentation.”
Stephens plans to stay in the National Guard for another six years and said, “If they call me (back) to Iraq — I’ll be ready. I’ll always be ready.”
Ellie