Posted on 03/10/2005 11:37:23 PM PST by Straight Vermonter
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Two Green Berets who carried wounded comrades out of danger as gunfire continued around them during separate incidents in Iraq were awarded Silver Star medals Thursday.
The Silver Stars - the Army's third highest award for actions in combat - were pinned on Master Sgt. David Miles, 37, of Powellton, W.Va., and Master Sgt. Kelly Mahon, 40, of Virgil, Kan., during a ceremony at Fort Campbell.
Miles killed or directed the killing of up to 20 Saddam loyalists on April 7, 2003, at a bridge overpass south of Baghdad where they had set up fighting positions during the invasion of Iraq, the Army said.
He also was credited with treating two wounded soldiers and dragging them out of danger - one of whom would have bled to death without medical care.
Mahon was said to have pulled a soldier wounded by a grenade, Master Sgt. Kevin Morehead, under crossfire in Ar Ramadi, on Sept. 11, 2003. The Army said he later exposed himself to enemy fire to throw a grenade that killed at an al-Qaida terrorist. The incident occurred during a house raid.
Morehead, 33, of Little Rock, Ark., was killed along with another soldier, but the medal citation said Mahon saved "untold lives" by his take-charge leadership that day.
"Master Sgt. Mahon and Master Sgt. Miles are American heroes, America's sons who unhesitantly have answered the call of duty and performed in such a way that has earned them the Silver Star medal," said Col. Hector Pagan, commander of the 5th Special Forces Group.
Both have done two tours in Iraq with the 5th Group, based at Fort Campbell on the Tennessee border.
After the ceremony, the two downplayed their actions.
"I was just doing my job," Miles said. "What we do is just take care of our soldiers ... Some days are just a little bit harder than others, that's all."
Mahon said the credit should go to his entire team.
"One man can't do it all," Mahon said. "It takes everybody to get these things accomplished."
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Trained to live, off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage deep, from the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request
Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret
Sgt. 1st Class David Langer received a Bronze Star for saving some Afghan children who were hit by shrapnel in August. He was among the soldiers recognized for actions during their six-month deployment in 2004 to Afghanistan.
Langer was searching for suspected Taliban fighters in August after his Special Forces team’s base was attacked. The soldiers tracked three suspected fighters into a compound when a suicide bomber killed himself with a grenade, spraying a room with shrapnel.
Langer, a medic, was wounded in the neck and leg, but quickly bandaged his wounds and then started to help the children. Langer’s medical bag was in a truck a few miles from the compound, so he treated the five wounded children with few supplies.
He was able to save all but one boy, but said he didn’t feel like a hero.
“You don’t want to promote yourself and say you deserve something. I would rather have nothing,” Langer said.
The Special Forces soldiers said the awards — 13 Purple Hearts, 11 Bronze Stars and 29 Army Commendation Medals — were a representation of the unit’s efforts and sacrifices.
Col. Patrick Higgins, commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group, said Americans do not often hear about the day-to-day combat in Afghanistan, but the soldiers repelled ambushes and captured Taliban leaders on a daily basis.
They also helped rebuild roads, and schools and provided medical care
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
I miss hearing this song on the radio. Maybe it is because it brings back memories of Vietnam. But I always get a lump in my throat when I hear it. It really does show honor to our fighting men.
A 'Thank You' to these brave warriors, as well as all past, present and future Americans that wear our uniform every day...
It is better to deserve without receiving, than to receive without deserving was inscribed in a small bible I carried during my 26 years of service.......But I haven't met the Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who is not deserving of the gratitude of their nation.......in this fight or wars past.
Bless em all.......and their families who sacrifice at home.
Well Done Gentlemen
They save us through their sacrifice....100 percent support from Americans....
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