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thedrifter
12-21-06, 06:50 AM
Pendleton Marines laud Bronze Star recipient

By: JOE BECK - Staff Writer

CAMP PENDLETON -- Sgt. Kevin M. Armentrout didn't sound overly impressed with himself Wednesday as he accepted the Bronze Star at Camp Pendleton, but his commanding officer in Iraq left little doubt that he considered Armentrout's actions under sustained enemy fire to be something special.

"No one deserves the Bronze Star more than Sgt. Armentrout in the company, in the battalion," Maj. Eric Dougherty told more than 100 of his subordinates seated on the parade ground pavement before him.

Dougherty said that he would be talking about Armentrout's heroism for years to come, and he hoped it would inspire others.

"My kids will know who Sgt. Armentrout is," Dougherty said. "My grandchildren will know who Sgt. Armentrout is."

Armentrout, 26, of Lakeland, Fla., said he received the award for his cumulative actions over a four-month period in Iraq in fall 2004. But at Wednesday's ceremony, his commanding officers specifically cited an incident on Nov. 17, 2004, in which a squad of eight Marines was pinned down by small-arms and sniper fire around an observation post. The squad was part of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Armentrout, joined by other Marines from the 20-member quick-reaction force that he commanded, placed four Humvees between the squad and enemy positions, directing fire from the Humvees' guns, while his own vehicle was hit by enemy fire.

Armentrout said the firefight raged from 7 a.m. until roughly 7 p.m. The besieged squad, taking advantage of the covering fire from the Humvees, maneuvered into a protected position until reinforcements arrived and drove off the insurgents. Armentrout said he knew of no deaths and one injury among Marines during the firefight.

In brief remarks to his comrades, Armentrout praised the other members of his unit.

"Everybody was about the mission and each other. It was easy to be a leader under those conditions," he said.

Of the award, Armentrout said he hoped "it encourages others to do their job to the best of their ability."

In an interview after he had finished speaking, Doughtery said the Bronze Star, the military's fifth-highest award for bravery, was a rare distinction. He estimated that no more than 10 were earned among the 900 to 1,000 members of his battalion during its seven-month deployment to Iraq in 2004-05.

Lt. Col. Craig Kozeniesky told the Marines assembled for the award ceremony that Armentrout's actions should inspire them to perform with similar valor when they deploy to Iraq in March.

"What he did is exactly what you can do," Kozeniesky said.

-- Contact staff writer Joe Beck at (760) 740-3516 or jbeck@nctimes.com.

Ellie