[Vision2020] Chairman Presents Awards for Heroism in Iraq

[Tom Hansen]

>From the American Forces Press Service -

Note to Chris Storhok:  Could you see to it that Pvt. Sanford's friends
and/or family get this photo?  Thanks.

http://www.tomandrodna.com/Images/StephenSanford_DSC_Wainwright_022207.JPG
"Pvt. Stephen C. Sanford, recently medically retired from the Army, salutes
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after being
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Feb. 22.
Sanford received the award for going above and beyond the call of duty while
fighting terrorist in Iraq. (Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF)"

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By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, Feb. 23, 2007 - Marine Gen. Peter Pace presented a
Distinguished Service Cross and two Silver Stars here yesterday to three
soldiers for heroism displayed in Iraq on Nov. 19, 2005. 

Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was an emotional
moment for him to properly recognize the soldiers' heroism, and "to say
thank you for their incredible valor in the face of a very, very dangerous
enemy." 

Pace awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Army Pvt. Stephen C. Sanford
of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, for displaying
extraordinary courage during the evacuation of casualties from a home in
Mosul while under intense enemy fire, according to Army officials. 

Although shot in the leg during his squad's initial assault attempt, he
still accompanied his squad during its second assault. Once inside the
house, Sanford provided a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the
casualties were evacuated. He continued to engage the enemy while escorting
wounded soldiers from the house, according to the award citation. 

Sanford returned to the house a second time to provide covering fire for the
final withdrawal of casualties. When the last soldier leaving the house was
shot in the neck, Sanford began performing CPR. Sanford was shot twice more
in the back while trying to revive the other soldier. He returned fire and
killed an insurgent while receiving two more potentially fatal gunshot
wounds, the citation stated. He continued returning fire while helping his
wounded comrade until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood. 

The chairman awarded a Silver Star to Staff Sgt. Michael L. Barrera Jr., and
to Pfc. Joshua V. Joseph, both of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment,
172nd Brigade Combat Team, for heroism and selfless service. Army officials
said their courage and disregard for their own welfare resulted in saving
the lives of comrades who were severely wounded. 

After pinning on the three medals, Pace called the three soldiers back to
stand by him in front of a "wall of heroes," displaying photos of the 30
soldiers in their unit who have died in Iraq. 

"I have had the distinct honor of participating in many award ceremonies,"
Pace told the audience of family, friends and fellow soldiers. "This is the
first time I have ever had the honor of awarding a Distinguished Service
Cross. It's certainly the first time I've ever had in one ceremony the honor
of putting two Silver Star Medals on two very deserving soldiers." 

The chairman said each of the soldiers would probably say they don't think
they deserve the awards. "If you asked them, they'd say they were doing
their jobs," he said. "But if you asked their fellow soldiers, they'd say
they went above and beyond the call of duty. 

"The soldiers on the wall behind me know what you have done," Pace told the
award recipients. "Your courage in combat made a difference. You deserve
these awards." 

When read in a citation, Pace said, words like "extraordinary heroism" and
"gallantry in action" don't capture what really happened that day. "But you
know what happened, and so do your fellow soldiers in the unit," he said. 

"Thank you for doing what soldiers have always done in combat -- to serve,
to serve well and to serve above and beyond what any of our fellow citizens
would ask you to serve," he concluded.

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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.