Posted on 05/26/2006 7:03:49 PM PDT by SandRat
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 were recognized for their bravery and dedication while supporting the global war on terrorism during a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., May 26.
Rear Adm. Donald Bullard, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, presented 14 members of EODMU 2 with Bronze Stars with Combat Distinguishing Device and presented the Silver Star to Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (EOD) William A. Bastable.
During Operation Enduring Freedom, although wounded, the Joint Task Force lead navigator refused to abandon his team after the group came under enemy fire, June 25, 2003. Bastable has since been promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2.
The Silver Star is the U.S. Navy’s third highest award for valor in combat.
EODMU 2 was assigned to 3rd Infantry Division while deployed to Iraq from January to July 2005. During that time, they neutralized 8,668 hazardous items, including 298 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 119 unexploded ordnance items and 76 arms caches. Thirteen Bronze Stars were awarded because of these events.
Before the ceremony, one member recalled the incident that brought the detachment to the front lines of action.
“They (insurgents) had the roadside IEDs set up and it was actually a couple of them put together, about six or so,” Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (EOD) Clifford Sabo recalled. “One Marine convoy was going through there and got hit and another one was still in the danger zone. We moved them out of there. We found the initiating system for the IED and took care of that. Then we went toward the road and started finding all the ordnance. We were setting up the shot to do demo on it when we came under fire. People wanted to go, but we decided to go ahead and get rid of the stuff so they couldn’t use it again. We just took care of it.”
A final Bronze Star was awarded to Lt. Dominick Floyd for his outstanding service as commander, Explosive Ordnance Detachment 28 and advisor to the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force, March to August 2005.
EOD units are part of the larger expeditionary combat community and their work is essential to winning the global war on terrorism.
More information on the EOD community can be found at www.eod.navy.mil.
NAVY EODMU 2 Sailors Receive Silver, Bronze Stars
Good on them and good on the Navy for recognizing them (and especially selecting Bastable for the warrant officer program).
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