thedrifter
04-13-08, 09:18 AM
Heroes come in multiple forms
April 13, 2008 - 12:13AM
SUZANNE ULBRICH
DAILY NEWS STAFF
One of Camp Lejeune's heroes got special recognition from members of the military and larger community for his life-saving actions in Iraq.
Three other Marines and a sailor were also honored with American Hero Awards by the Mainstreet organization Friday evening at SywanykS Scarlett & Gold Traditions.
The Freedom's Flight Award and American Hero Award were presented to Master Sgt. James A. Crawford for his heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy. As radio reconnaissance element leader, Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One, then-Gunnery Sgt. Crawford's observation post came under intense enemy fire during Harker Heights, said II Marine Expeditionary Force Sgt. Maj. R.D. Himworth.
"He moved to the rooftop to gain optimum fields of fire to repel the enemy barrage of improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine-gun fire," Himsworth said. "Several service members were critically wounded during an enemy attack. Master Sgt. Crawford rendered life-saving first aid until medics arrived. Once the medical emergency evacuation crew arrived, he maneuvered to engage enemy targets while the wounded were evacuated ...."
Marines Lance Cpl. John P. Kopek, Master Sgt. Michael J. Wert, Sgt. Danny S. Santos and Navy Hospitalman 1 Vincent M. Soto were the other recipients of the American Hero Award from Mainstreet, a fraternal business networking organization that supports the military as well as other groups.
Generals representing all branches of the service, elected officials, and business leaders and Mainstreet members were among those who broke bread and recognized the honorees.
Camp Lejeune-based II Marine Expeditionary Force selected five candidates to be recognized for their heroism - on and off the battlefield.
Kopek, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, received his award for his recent combat tour in Ramadi, Iraq.
"As the primary infantry company advisor for Company Two, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division, from September 2007 to March 2008, his mentoring abilities, leadership, and training skills was exemplary," Himsworth told the audience.
"Lance Cpl. Kopek personally performed over 150 dismounted urban combat patrols and six battalion operations with the Iraqi Security Forces with no casualties or loss of gear," Himsworth said.
Wert received the award posthumously for rescuing two children who were being swept to sea at Fort Macon State Park Beach. He was on liberty and was spending the day with his family May 5, 2007, when he spotted two boys struggling against the strong ocean current. He swam out to help them and managed to get both boys to safety through the strong currents, but he was unable to get back to shore himself and lost his life through the effort.
His wife, Debbie Wert accepted the award on his behalf.
Wert served as intelligence chief, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II MEF at Cherry Point Air Station.
"By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Master Sgt. Wert prevented the loss of life, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States of America," Himsworth said.
Hospitalman Vincent M. Soto received the award for his meritorious service while serving as command master chief aide with II MEF from February 2007 to February 2008.
"Petty Officer 1st Class Soto provided essential guidance to 5,000 Navy personnel in support of over 30,000 service members," Himsworth said. "He established a fleet Marine force training program benefiting 400 sailors. He spearheaded the fleet Marine force qualification of 859 personnel with 100 percent qualification rate for nine battalions .... His initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
The American Hero Award was presented to Sgt. Danny S. Santos for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as squad leader, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, I MEF on April 17, 2004."
"During 3rd Battalion's attack against militia forces, the lead element of Kilo Company came under intense automatic weapon and rocket-propelled grenade fire from multiple enemy strong points arrayed in two-story houses," Himsworth said. "Despite sustaining serious wounds to his shoulder and stomach, he led his squad against the enemy in order to destroy their fortified positions .... Despite his wounds, he remained calm throughout the engagement, consolidated his squad into a defensive position and triaged the wounded. Refusing medical attention until his men were properly treated, he continued to check his squad's position, and engaged the enemy in adjacent buildings and streets."
Mainstreet founder and Executive Director John Reed said this was the first time the organization held such an event and bestowed these awards, but said he planned to make it an annual event.
"With Mainstreet now having 51 businesses involved, we're big enough, and we can do this every year," Reed said.
Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie
April 13, 2008 - 12:13AM
SUZANNE ULBRICH
DAILY NEWS STAFF
One of Camp Lejeune's heroes got special recognition from members of the military and larger community for his life-saving actions in Iraq.
Three other Marines and a sailor were also honored with American Hero Awards by the Mainstreet organization Friday evening at SywanykS Scarlett & Gold Traditions.
The Freedom's Flight Award and American Hero Award were presented to Master Sgt. James A. Crawford for his heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy. As radio reconnaissance element leader, Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One, then-Gunnery Sgt. Crawford's observation post came under intense enemy fire during Harker Heights, said II Marine Expeditionary Force Sgt. Maj. R.D. Himworth.
"He moved to the rooftop to gain optimum fields of fire to repel the enemy barrage of improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine-gun fire," Himsworth said. "Several service members were critically wounded during an enemy attack. Master Sgt. Crawford rendered life-saving first aid until medics arrived. Once the medical emergency evacuation crew arrived, he maneuvered to engage enemy targets while the wounded were evacuated ...."
Marines Lance Cpl. John P. Kopek, Master Sgt. Michael J. Wert, Sgt. Danny S. Santos and Navy Hospitalman 1 Vincent M. Soto were the other recipients of the American Hero Award from Mainstreet, a fraternal business networking organization that supports the military as well as other groups.
Generals representing all branches of the service, elected officials, and business leaders and Mainstreet members were among those who broke bread and recognized the honorees.
Camp Lejeune-based II Marine Expeditionary Force selected five candidates to be recognized for their heroism - on and off the battlefield.
Kopek, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, received his award for his recent combat tour in Ramadi, Iraq.
"As the primary infantry company advisor for Company Two, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division, from September 2007 to March 2008, his mentoring abilities, leadership, and training skills was exemplary," Himsworth told the audience.
"Lance Cpl. Kopek personally performed over 150 dismounted urban combat patrols and six battalion operations with the Iraqi Security Forces with no casualties or loss of gear," Himsworth said.
Wert received the award posthumously for rescuing two children who were being swept to sea at Fort Macon State Park Beach. He was on liberty and was spending the day with his family May 5, 2007, when he spotted two boys struggling against the strong ocean current. He swam out to help them and managed to get both boys to safety through the strong currents, but he was unable to get back to shore himself and lost his life through the effort.
His wife, Debbie Wert accepted the award on his behalf.
Wert served as intelligence chief, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II MEF at Cherry Point Air Station.
"By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Master Sgt. Wert prevented the loss of life, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States of America," Himsworth said.
Hospitalman Vincent M. Soto received the award for his meritorious service while serving as command master chief aide with II MEF from February 2007 to February 2008.
"Petty Officer 1st Class Soto provided essential guidance to 5,000 Navy personnel in support of over 30,000 service members," Himsworth said. "He established a fleet Marine force training program benefiting 400 sailors. He spearheaded the fleet Marine force qualification of 859 personnel with 100 percent qualification rate for nine battalions .... His initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
The American Hero Award was presented to Sgt. Danny S. Santos for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as squad leader, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, I MEF on April 17, 2004."
"During 3rd Battalion's attack against militia forces, the lead element of Kilo Company came under intense automatic weapon and rocket-propelled grenade fire from multiple enemy strong points arrayed in two-story houses," Himsworth said. "Despite sustaining serious wounds to his shoulder and stomach, he led his squad against the enemy in order to destroy their fortified positions .... Despite his wounds, he remained calm throughout the engagement, consolidated his squad into a defensive position and triaged the wounded. Refusing medical attention until his men were properly treated, he continued to check his squad's position, and engaged the enemy in adjacent buildings and streets."
Mainstreet founder and Executive Director John Reed said this was the first time the organization held such an event and bestowed these awards, but said he planned to make it an annual event.
"With Mainstreet now having 51 businesses involved, we're big enough, and we can do this every year," Reed said.
Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie