I clicked on it again and it is the same one I started reading initially. I’m not buying the whole story as presented there. I’ve been a USAA co-op member for 45+ years and have ALWAYS experienced outstanding service, so for some of you to claim that the folks there have suddenly turned into Satan and are screwing members is preposterous. “I” was the member, my dependents were not, although they were covered by my membership privileges, and I suspect this problem is a similar legal one. USAA’s primary fiducial responsibility is to its members and no one else, regardless of how tearful the case becomes. We are NOT a welfare agency, thank you!
Interestingly, if the spouse was also a service member as is stated, why did not she also become a USAA member or at least have her husband sign a power of attorney so she could lawfully act on his behalf? Something is very fishy with this story, but I’ll put my money on the credibility of the USAA management. They have a many-decades long record of integrity in all their dealing, as we members insist on.
Pile on all you want if it makes you feel better, but that won’t change the facts, eh?
JC
Their duty to their membership should not include authority to cancel and or freeze accounts of their customers because they don’t “meet our standards.” As of October 14th, it was reported by Kelly’s father that Kelly’s wife was told by a rep at USAA that they had kindly released half of her money!! It is her money and let me reiterate, she currently serves this country!!
I question their standards!
Narrative on Bronze Star Awarded to Kelly Stewart:
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH VALOR DEVICE
TO
STAFF SERGEANT KELLY A. STEWART
Staff Sergeant Kelly A. Stewart, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as the Senior Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 062, Baghdad, IRAQ, on August 7, 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During Operation STINGRAY inside the Jaysh Mahdi stronghold of Sadr City, SSG Stewart distinguished himself as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D) with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Brigade. Bravo Company was tasked with providing outer cordon blocking positions as the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force (ICTF) conducted a raid to capture high-value targets. SSG Stewart was assigned to the rear of the vehicle third in the order of movement and was armed with his M4 carbine, an M79 Grenade Launcher, and his aid bag. During the mission, SSG Stewart would expertly use all three of these tactical tools. Upon infiltration, the convoy was nearly struck with an improvised explosive device which detonated less than thirty meters in front of the lead vehicle and since the ingress routes to Sadr City are extremely limited, the enemy undoubtedly had clear early warning of the force’s approach. Thus, immediately upon SSG Stewart’s vehicle establishing its southernmost blocking position nearest the ICTF raid location, the U.S./Iraqi force came under enemy fire. SSG Stewart dismounted the vehicle and immediately established a good firing position oriented down an alley running to the southwest. Within minutes, he began engaging a few enemy gunmen down the alley. The hardened fighters, although possibly wounded, sought cover behind vehicles and alcoves in the alley and continued to return fire. SSG Stewart calmly transitioned to his M79 to effectively suppress those fighters firing from defilade. He continued to suppress this general vicinity throughout the forty-five minute firefight as additional enemy converged on the danger area. As the blocking force loaded the vehicles in preparation for exfiltration, one U.S. Soldier was shot as he climbed into the rear of SSG Stewart’s vehicle. With total disregard for his own safety as enemy fire continued just over his head, SSG Stewart immediately assumed the role of medical provider and would be instrumental in saving the soldier’s life. The projectile entered to the rear of the casualty’s right shoulder, almost completely severed the upper portion of his right lung, broke a few ribs on the left side of his chest and finally came to rest just under the skin. Displaying extreme calmness in the heat of combat, SSG Stewart initiated two intravenous (IV) lines into the casualty while under fire in the moving vehicle. For much of the exfiltration, SSG Stewart had one leg outside the vehicle on a jack-stand strapped to the rear to provide the casualty more room while holding two IV bags in one hand and returning fire with his M79 in the other hand. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
Their duty to their membership should not include authority to cancel and or freeze accounts of their customers because they don’t “meet our standards.” As of October 14th, it was reported by Kelly’s father that Kelly’s wife was told by a rep at USAA that they had kindly released half of her money!! It is her money and let me reiterate, she currently serves this country!!
I question their standards!
Narrative on Bronze Star Awarded to Kelly Stewart:
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH VALOR DEVICE
TO
STAFF SERGEANT KELLY A. STEWART
Staff Sergeant Kelly A. Stewart, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as the Senior Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Operational Detachment Alpha 062, Baghdad, IRAQ, on August 7, 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During Operation STINGRAY inside the Jaysh Mahdi stronghold of Sadr City, SSG Stewart distinguished himself as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D) with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) Brigade. Bravo Company was tasked with providing outer cordon blocking positions as the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force (ICTF) conducted a raid to capture high-value targets. SSG Stewart was assigned to the rear of the vehicle third in the order of movement and was armed with his M4 carbine, an M79 Grenade Launcher, and his aid bag. During the mission, SSG Stewart would expertly use all three of these tactical tools. Upon infiltration, the convoy was nearly struck with an improvised explosive device which detonated less than thirty meters in front of the lead vehicle and since the ingress routes to Sadr City are extremely limited, the enemy undoubtedly had clear early warning of the force’s approach. Thus, immediately upon SSG Stewart’s vehicle establishing its southernmost blocking position nearest the ICTF raid location, the U.S./Iraqi force came under enemy fire. SSG Stewart dismounted the vehicle and immediately established a good firing position oriented down an alley running to the southwest. Within minutes, he began engaging a few enemy gunmen down the alley. The hardened fighters, although possibly wounded, sought cover behind vehicles and alcoves in the alley and continued to return fire. SSG Stewart calmly transitioned to his M79 to effectively suppress those fighters firing from defilade. He continued to suppress this general vicinity throughout the forty-five minute firefight as additional enemy converged on the danger area. As the blocking force loaded the vehicles in preparation for exfiltration, one U.S. Soldier was shot as he climbed into the rear of SSG Stewart’s vehicle. With total disregard for his own safety as enemy fire continued just over his head, SSG Stewart immediately assumed the role of medical provider and would be instrumental in saving the soldier’s life. The projectile entered to the rear of the casualty’s right shoulder, almost completely severed the upper portion of his right lung, broke a few ribs on the left side of his chest and finally came to rest just under the skin. Displaying extreme calmness in the heat of combat, SSG Stewart initiated two intravenous (IV) lines into the casualty while under fire in the moving vehicle. For much of the exfiltration, SSG Stewart had one leg outside the vehicle on a jack-stand strapped to the rear to provide the casualty more room while holding two IV bags in one hand and returning fire with his M79 in the other hand. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.