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Valor medal honors mom [Bronze Star Awarded]
Seattle Times ^ | 23 Nov 04 | Hal Bernton

Posted on 11/23/2004 11:24:33 AM PST by bushisdamanin04

By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter

FORT LEWIS — For Army Spc. Rebecca Finnick, an April 5 convoy was supposed to be a routine visit to monitor the rebuilding of a prison in Mosul, Iraq. But along the way, her unarmored Humvee came under fire from insurgents hiding behind gravestones, and Finnick was thrust into the thick of a short but fierce firefight.

Finnick's conduct in that combat yesterday earned her a Bronze Star for valor for actions that underscored the frontline roles that women often play in Iraq combat.

The 30-year-old Finnick was cited for unleashing an initial volley of fire that helped protect the convoy from direct hits by rocket-propelled grenades. She then rescued a wounded gunner from a Humvee's turret. After giving her first aid, Finnick took to the turret to provide security while injured soldiers were evacuated to the hospital.

"You don't think about things," Finnick said yesterday. "It all goes by so fast ... it was like a dream."

The Ridgecrest, Calif., woman deployed to Iraq in fall 2003 with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the first unit to go into combat with the eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles. While in Iraq, Finnick was separated from her 7-year-old son, Scott. But he was on hand as Finnick was congratulated by fellow soldiers.

Finnick received her medal during a formal ceremony to welcome back the more than 4,800 members of the brigade, most of whom returned in October.

During the ceremony, two other brigade members also received medals.

Spc. Joshua Miller received the Silver Star for voluntarily placing himself in peril to save the life of a fellow soldier when his foot-patrol squad was ambushed by insurgents. Miller single-handedly fended off a 20-man assault on his squad's position. Then, under heavy fire, he managed to rescue his vehicle commander, who was trapped in debris.

Sgt. Charles Quintanilla received the Bronze Star for decisive and aggressive actions to fend off 25 insurgents armed with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: brigade; bronze; finnick; star; stryker; valor
Bronze Star awarded to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker) soldier.
1 posted on 11/23/2004 11:24:33 AM PST by bushisdamanin04
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To: bushisdamanin04

Hah, can you imagine how those Islamic terrorists must feel after being bested by an American woman?

Congrats to all of them, btw.


2 posted on 11/23/2004 11:28:14 AM PST by stylin_geek (Liberalism: comparable to a chicken with its head cut off, but with more spastic motions)
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To: bushisdamanin04

Give a salute to an American Hero!!


3 posted on 11/23/2004 11:29:41 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Never play leapfrog with a unicorn!)
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To: bushisdamanin04

I thought women weren't in the fighting.


4 posted on 11/23/2004 11:29:51 AM PST by bruin66 (Time: Nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once.)
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To: stylin_geek
Hah, can you imagine how those Islamic terrorists must feel after being bested by an American woman?

Suicidal, I'm sure.

5 posted on 11/23/2004 11:32:25 AM PST by Prime Choice (I like Democrats, too. Let's exchange recipes.)
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To: bruin66
I thought women weren't in the fighting.

Technically, they're not. But when one is dealing with terrorist cowards hiding behind tombstones, women and children, every inch of the country is the front line.

6 posted on 11/23/2004 11:33:20 AM PST by Prime Choice (I like Democrats, too. Let's exchange recipes.)
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To: Prime Choice

Either that, or they didn't get the chance to feel much of anything, because our guys (and gals) killed them.


7 posted on 11/23/2004 11:34:28 AM PST by stylin_geek (Liberalism: comparable to a chicken with its head cut off, but with more spastic motions)
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To: bushisdamanin04

I guess it is true what they say, "Hell hath no fury like a woman with an M-16."


8 posted on 11/23/2004 11:37:47 AM PST by NavVet (“Benedict Arnold was wounded in battle fighting for America, but no one remembers him for that.”)
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To: bruin66
Women are not generally in "Combat Arms" positions in the Army. There are no women in Infantry, canon Field Artillery, or Armor. The Army does have women helicopter pilots.

While women are not in most direct combat units, support units in a combat zone do come under attack. Numerous supply convoys have come under attack.

9 posted on 11/23/2004 11:38:57 AM PST by bushisdamanin04
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To: bushisdamanin04

Today's battlefield is fluid...there is NO "rear" anymore. If you recall during Desert Strom..one of the SCUDS landed on a NG quartermaster HQ in Kuwait, I believe..there were a dozen female soldiers killed..


10 posted on 11/23/2004 11:42:49 AM PST by ken5050
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To: All

Judging from the past attacks,any woman is in a combat zone in Iraq.
Trust me,women can fight.I knew a female deputy that could handle any situation that arose.She was a deadly weapon with a baton and Glock.
I believe we had some women awarded medals in the Gulf War.


11 posted on 11/23/2004 11:50:12 AM PST by hubno (hub)
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To: ken5050

I remember that, our base senior NCOIC lost his daughter in that attack. The man was back at work a few days later, taking care of his troops.

It's wonderful that God creates people such as these, and even more wonderful that most of them are born Americans.

God's love and protection be with all of our troops. These men and women are another thing that I will be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Best Regards

Sergio


12 posted on 11/23/2004 12:53:03 PM PST by Sergio (If a tree fell on a mime in the forest, would he make a sound?)
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To: bushisdamanin04

Kudos to her for stepping up to the plate and following her training, but she should not have been there in the first place.


13 posted on 11/23/2004 1:18:12 PM PST by Maigrey (Your job is to arrest the killers but if you kill them, then so be it. - Minister Allawi)
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To: Sergio

Well stated..thank you...


14 posted on 11/23/2004 1:55:12 PM PST by ken5050
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To: All

She's probably the first woman they've ever encountered who could defend herself! I'm sure they're more used to the bound, blindfolded and helpless kind.
God bless all our guys and gals takin' care of business in Iraq and Afghanistan.


15 posted on 11/23/2004 2:31:59 PM PST by 95 Bravo ("Freedom is not free. ")
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To: bushisdamanin04

Thanks Guys, Rebecca Finnick
P.S. Women should be there or they would be right.


16 posted on 02/10/2005 9:09:20 PM PST by desertfrek ("STAY SAFE")
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To: desertfrek

To Rebecca - well done, soldier!


17 posted on 02/10/2005 9:15:34 PM PST by patton (Matthew 6:6)
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To: desertfrek
D'you know, "Stay Safe!" is an EOD tagline?

Something to do with the red wire...

18 posted on 02/10/2005 9:17:16 PM PST by patton (Matthew 6:6)
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To: bushisdamanin04
Why does the the writer of this article go out of his way to put "mom" in the title.

Would they put "Valor medal honors dad??

Highly doubtful.

19 posted on 02/10/2005 9:58:08 PM PST by IDontLikeToPayTaxes
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