[Vision2020] Wainwright Soldier to Be Awarded Distinguished Service Cross

[Tom Hansen]

>From the Army times -

Note to Chris Storhok:  Any chance you might be able to get a photo?

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Wainwright soldier to get DSC on Thursday

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Feb 21, 2007 6:41:34 EST

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - A Fort Wainwright soldier will be presented the
Distinguished Service Cross on Thursday for his actions in Iraq.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will present
the award to Pvt. 1st Class Steven C. Sanford, Army officials said Tuesday.

Sanford distinguished himself in November 2005 during an assault on a house
occupied by suspected terrorists in Mosul, officials said.

Sanford was helping evacuate casualties from the home while under enemy
fire. Sanford had been wounded in the leg but accompanied his squad on a
second assault on the building and helped put down suppression fire while
casualties were evacuated, officials said, quoting the citation.

When the last soldier leaving the building was shot, the citation says,
Sanford went to him and began CPR on Pvt. Christopher Alcozer of Illinois.

Sanford, whose hometown was not immediately available, was shot twice while
attempting to revive Alcozer. He also protected the soldier by killing an
insurgent.

The citation says Sanford continued to help his wounded comrade until his
own injuries prevented him from doing so any longer. Alcozer died in the
assault.

Pace will also present the Silver Star to Staff Sgt. Michael Barrera and
Pfc. Joshua Joseph for their actions in the same operation.

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest military decoration of
the Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat
with an armed enemy force. The Silver Star is the fourth-highest military
decoration.

Following the presentation, Pace will meet with soldiers from the 1st
Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in a town hall meeting.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.