Pys-Ops NCO rescues Iraqi civilians

Army ~ Soldier Stories ^ | Jan. 21, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Pys-Ops NCO rescues Iraqi civilians
January 21, 2004

Sgt. 1st Class William "Bud" McLeroy

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Army News Service, Jan. 21, 2004)-– Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class William “Bud” McLeroy has a leg up on his fellow soldiers. Actually he has two.

The psychological operations detachment non-commissioned officer, who lost a leg a decade ago during an off-road car race accident, has been recommended to receive the Bronze Star with valor device and Purple Heart for his actions and injuries as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While assigned to the 315th Psychological Operations Battalion, an Upland, Calif.-based Army Reserve unit, in Baghdad, McLeroy and his unit were responsible for distributing vital safety information to the battle-ravaged capital shortly following combat operations. When two Iraqi civilians were shot in the street, McLeroy helped drag the men to safety through a web of concertina wire and a barrage of heavy gunfire. McLeroy sustained abdomen and back wounds during the incident.

Today, McLeroy recovers from his wounds at Fort Bragg where he is an instructor at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School.

“I have not seen anyone who’s gone through what he’s gone through and maintained such a positive outlook,” commented Sgt. 1st Class Rodd Coker, a senior instructor at the school. “Even though he’s recovering from his wounds from Iraq, he volunteered to come work for us. They offered him the opportunity to go home and recover, but he didn’t feel like he would be doing his part. That’s one of the outstanding things about him.”

McLeroy had his leg amputated below the knee following an incident in 1993 when his stopped racing car was hit at more than 90 miles per hour, sending the California reservist more than 60 feet, crushing his right leg. After two months he returned to work as a firefighter and in 1995 received the OK from doctors to return to his reserve unit.

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[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class William “Bud” McLeroy:

When two Iraqi civilians were shot in the street, McLeroy helped drag the men to safety through a web of concertina wire and a barrage of heavy gunfire. McLeroy sustained abdomen and back wounds during the incident.

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 Sgt. 1st Class William “Bud” McLeroy, who lost a leg in an accident a decade ago, is recovering from his wounds at work at Ft. Bragg.  "They offered him the opportunity to go home and recover, but he didn’t feel like he would be doing his part." 

     
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[martin_fierro]

Not an actual U.S. military patch, but I always thought it looked cool anyway.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[rrrod]

GOT MISTY EYED HERE ..AGAIN...DANG...I LOVE OUR TROOPS!

[Alamo-Girl]

I love our troops, too! Hugs!!!

[Khurkris]

Good Job Top.

[PISANO]

Sgt. 1st Class William “Bud” McLeroy; You are OUR COUNTRY'S FINEST and an INSPIRATION to all of your fellow Americans. God Speed as you teach others the CODE you live by.

[BykrBayb]

I want to say something really profound, but I can't. I can't even decide whether I should cry or drool, so I'll just do both. (Such a Maaannnnn!!!

[blackie]

Pys-Ops NCO rescues Iraqi civilians ~ Bump!