thedrifter
10-10-07, 08:04 AM
Six Young Heroes Receive ''Grateful Nation'' Award from JINSA
Wednesday October 10, 8:00 am ET
Veterans of Recent Combat in Iraq and Afghanistan
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six outstanding individuals from each branch of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command will be presented with the "Grateful Nation Award" at a special event on October 15 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
The presentations will be made at the annual Henry M. Jackson dinner of the Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs.
Created in 2003 by JINSA, a national non-profit based in Washington, D.C., the Grateful Nation Awards recognize those from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks who have distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism since September 11.
The six award recipients - all veterans of recent military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq - were each nominated by their commanding officers and chosen by the senior leadership of their respective service. JINSA is organizing travel for the recipients and their families to Washington.
The recipients are (in order of service creation date):
Staff Sergeant Jason T. Fetty, United States Army
In February 2007, at a hospital opening in Khost, Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Fetty saved the lives of dozens of civilians, dignitaries and fellow soldiers when he confronted, delayed and ultimately subdued a suicide bomber allowing the crowd to evacuate before the bomber ultimately detonated his bomb. For his actions, Staff Sergeant Fetty was awarded the Silver Star.
Staff Sergeant Jose Romero, United States Marine Corps
Superlative service with the 1st Tank Battalion that led the fight to Baghdad in 2003 and then became one of the most respected Drill Instructors whose teamwork, esprit de corps, and core values sets him apart from his peers and made a significant impact in molding the lives of young Marines.
Lieutenant (SEAL) Seth A. Stone, United States Navy
Commanding an overwatch mission protecting the flank of a battalion-sized U.S. Army operation in September 2006, he led his team of three other SEALS in a daring fight through the streets of Ramadi, Iraq against constant attacks by swarming insurgent cells to rescue a second group of SEALS injured in a devastating grenade attack and in danger of being overrun.
Petty Officer Second Class Jesse K. Gitchel, United States Coast Guard
As a petty officer, he coolly commanded his 110-foot cutter in a tense stand off with ships of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Naval Force. When the emergency call came, the cutter's commanding officer was away on official business and Gitchel, the best ship handler of the crew, was serving as acting commanding officer.
Staff Sergeant Elizabeth C. Spradley, United States Air Force
Recognized for exemplary actions in Iraq as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader directly involved in 170 high-risk missions. She personally neutralized 35 IEDs and 2 vehicle bombs during 32 route clearance missions.
Staff Sergeant Ryan A. Wallace, USAF, representing the United States Special Operations Command
Honored for outstanding service during combat in the Iraqi city of Najaf where, during a large-scale battle lasting 22 hours against a dug-in insurgent force estimated to be 500-strong, he directed coalition air assets to decisively defeat the insurgents. At critical points in the battle, he directed bombs to points considered "danger close" to his own position. When his team came under fire from a trench line too close to employ air assets, he personally led a rifle charge into the trench, engaged and killed six insurgents with his rifle, and quickly resumed directing air strikes.
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization established in 1976 to educate the public on national and international security issues, including the importance of an effective U.S. defense capability and the key role of strategic allies, including Israel, to promote democratic values in the Middle East.
Contact:
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA)
Jim Colbert, 202-667-3900
Fax: 202-667-0601
info@jinsa.org
www.jinsa.org
Source: Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA)
Ellie
Wednesday October 10, 8:00 am ET
Veterans of Recent Combat in Iraq and Afghanistan
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six outstanding individuals from each branch of the U.S. military and the U.S. Special Operations Command will be presented with the "Grateful Nation Award" at a special event on October 15 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
The presentations will be made at the annual Henry M. Jackson dinner of the Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs.
Created in 2003 by JINSA, a national non-profit based in Washington, D.C., the Grateful Nation Awards recognize those from the enlisted, noncommissioned officer and junior officer ranks who have distinguished themselves through superior conduct in the War on Terrorism since September 11.
The six award recipients - all veterans of recent military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq - were each nominated by their commanding officers and chosen by the senior leadership of their respective service. JINSA is organizing travel for the recipients and their families to Washington.
The recipients are (in order of service creation date):
Staff Sergeant Jason T. Fetty, United States Army
In February 2007, at a hospital opening in Khost, Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Fetty saved the lives of dozens of civilians, dignitaries and fellow soldiers when he confronted, delayed and ultimately subdued a suicide bomber allowing the crowd to evacuate before the bomber ultimately detonated his bomb. For his actions, Staff Sergeant Fetty was awarded the Silver Star.
Staff Sergeant Jose Romero, United States Marine Corps
Superlative service with the 1st Tank Battalion that led the fight to Baghdad in 2003 and then became one of the most respected Drill Instructors whose teamwork, esprit de corps, and core values sets him apart from his peers and made a significant impact in molding the lives of young Marines.
Lieutenant (SEAL) Seth A. Stone, United States Navy
Commanding an overwatch mission protecting the flank of a battalion-sized U.S. Army operation in September 2006, he led his team of three other SEALS in a daring fight through the streets of Ramadi, Iraq against constant attacks by swarming insurgent cells to rescue a second group of SEALS injured in a devastating grenade attack and in danger of being overrun.
Petty Officer Second Class Jesse K. Gitchel, United States Coast Guard
As a petty officer, he coolly commanded his 110-foot cutter in a tense stand off with ships of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Naval Force. When the emergency call came, the cutter's commanding officer was away on official business and Gitchel, the best ship handler of the crew, was serving as acting commanding officer.
Staff Sergeant Elizabeth C. Spradley, United States Air Force
Recognized for exemplary actions in Iraq as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader directly involved in 170 high-risk missions. She personally neutralized 35 IEDs and 2 vehicle bombs during 32 route clearance missions.
Staff Sergeant Ryan A. Wallace, USAF, representing the United States Special Operations Command
Honored for outstanding service during combat in the Iraqi city of Najaf where, during a large-scale battle lasting 22 hours against a dug-in insurgent force estimated to be 500-strong, he directed coalition air assets to decisively defeat the insurgents. At critical points in the battle, he directed bombs to points considered "danger close" to his own position. When his team came under fire from a trench line too close to employ air assets, he personally led a rifle charge into the trench, engaged and killed six insurgents with his rifle, and quickly resumed directing air strikes.
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization established in 1976 to educate the public on national and international security issues, including the importance of an effective U.S. defense capability and the key role of strategic allies, including Israel, to promote democratic values in the Middle East.
Contact:
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA)
Jim Colbert, 202-667-3900
Fax: 202-667-0601
info@jinsa.org
www.jinsa.org
Source: Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA)
Ellie