Medic Took Bullets, Shrapnel To Rescue Wounded In Attack (Awarded Silver Star)

Clarksville (TN) Leaf-Chronicle | February 6, 2004 | By Chantal Escoto

[mark502inf]

502nd soldier has division's first Iraq war Silver Star

Pvt. Dwayne Turner doesn't think he's a hero. But the Army says otherwise and awarded him the Silver Star Thursday.

The medic with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, saved the lives of 16 soldiers in Iraq on April 13 despite being critically wounded himself.

In a ceremony at Fort Campbell's division headquarters, Assistant Division Commander (operations) Brig. Gen. Frank G. Helmick pinned Turner with the highest medal given thus far to 101st Airborne Division soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I didn't figure myself a hero. I just wanted to make sure everybody came home," Turner said after the medal and 101st Airborne coin were presented to him. "Nobody was going to die on my watch."

Before the firefight in a suburb about 30 miles south of Baghdad, the Iraqis near the U.S. convoy were being friendly as usual, Turner said. But the scene quickly turned violent, and the soldiers were attacked with grenade and small-arms fire.

Responding on instinct, Turner went into action and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he treated wounded soldiers. He was struck by AK-47 bullets in the arm and leg and was hit by shrapnel.

"When we got hit, guys were going down, and I was the medical guy on the scene. It was a split-second decision," he said.

During the 25-minute attack, Turner tended to the wounded until he finally had to be stopped. He was about to pass out from blood loss, said platoon leader Sgt. Neil Mulvany, who treated Turner's injuries.

"He risked his life to save 16 other soldiers," Mulvany said. "That's a hero in my book."

Of the 50 soldiers in the convoy, 22 were wounded.

Turner has served in the Army for four years and returned to Fort Campbell from Iraq in May. He will be medically discharged from the Army soon.

The Silver Star is awarded to any U.S. service member who shows gallantry in action. It is the third-highest combat medal given to soldiers.

[mark502inf]

Assistant Division Commander presents 101st's first Iraq Silver Star to Private Turner.

Of the 50 soldiers in the convoy, 22 were wounded.

44% casualty rate--pretty intense.

[Xenalyte]

Salute and prayers and BIG THANKS headed Turner's way!

[mattdono]

Private Turner, I salute you.

[Liberty Valance]

Salute to Pvt. Turner. Salute to all medics.

[MEG33]

Wow,terrible losses and a very brave Private Turner.He is a hero!

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Mark!

[RAY]

God bless him, and may his future be bright!

[A Texan]

Wow. That is a true American hero.

[kayak]

As has been said before ... Where do we get men like this!

[mark502inf]

Your Iraq list might appreciate this story about an American hero.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Kudos to a brave Amercian - how do we keep coming up with these outstanding men and women?

[ArrogantBustard]

Big snappy salute to PVT Turner, a fine example of what America is all about.

[gridlock]

Of the 50 soldiers in the convoy, 22 were wounded.

And none died. Good work Private Turner. This award is well deserved.

[OldFriend]

There are those who exploit their service in war and then there are HEROES......such as this young man who honored us all with his service to his fellow soldiers.

[NEPA]

I don't mean to take away from this guy's heroism but why is he only an E1? According to the article and the picture that's the case. If so he must have really f'ed up royally.
Glad to see he came through when he had to though. The guy is a genuine hero.

[mark502inf]

I don't mean to take away from this guy's heroism but why is he only an E1? According to the article and the picture that's the case. If so he must have really f'ed up royally. Glad to see he came through when he had to though. The guy is a genuine hero.

We used to call those kind of guys "field soldiers"---the men who were great out in the field or on operations, but always found a way to get in trouble back in garrison.

[Professional Engineer]

BUMP!

[r9etb]

From your screen name -- were/are you from the 502nd, as this guy is?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

What is the 101st Airborne coin ?

[SAMWolf]

Medic Bump