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'Green Beret' Awarded Silver Star

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wanner, a medical sergeant with Company B, 2nd Battalion of the Army National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group, was recently awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for combat valor, for his actions in Afghanistan last year.

Rounds splashed the ground around them as they began working on their wounded comrade. Realizing the danger to their patient, they quickly dragged him around to what they assumed was the safer side of the building.

As the two medics continued to work on Clifton, Wanner began to realize the extent of his patient’s wounds. Wanner knew they couldn’t move Clifton unless they had a stretcher, so he ran to the vehicle to retrieve one. As the medic returned, the group began receiving fire from a window about 15 feet away, forcing them to press up against the wall of the building.

As he continued to work on Clifton, Wanner coordinated suppressing fire on the window and told Scheaffer to grab a fragmentation grenade.

Wanner kept on the back of his body armor and tossed the grenade into the room from which they were taking fire. The tactic worked. It subdued the enemy long enough to allow the medics to race Clifton to a vehicle for evacuation.

Wanner continued to provide life-saving care as they bounced across the desert to a medical evacuation site, avoiding the main routes they knew to be laced with roadside bombs. Source

Congratulations and well-earned, SFC Wanner!

Col. Robert L. Howard, American Hero

On 23 December, Retired Army Col. Robert L. Howard, one of America's finest and most highly decorated soldier's, passed away in Waco, Texas, from complications arising from pancreatic cancer. He was 70-years old.

Howard began his Army career as an enlisted man and later served in the 82nd Airborne, Rangers and Special Forces, including the elite and ultra-secretive MACVSOG. Incredibly, during one thirteen-month tour in Vietnam, Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for combat valor, three times! One of the recommendations was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross and another to the Silver Star, largely due to the classified nature of the missions.

However, Howard would not be denied his Medal of Honor.

It was presented to him by President Richard Nixon during a White House ceremony in 1971.

Howard was a sergeant first class assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group in December 1968 when his unit came under heavy enemy fire while on a mission to rescue a missing U.S. Soldier. Howard was wounded -- unable to walk -- and his own weapon was destroyed by a grenade blast, according to his Medal of Honor citation, but seeing his platoon leader wounded and exposed to fire Howard crawled forward under fire to pull the lieutenant back. While administering first aid to the lieutenant an enemy round hit one of the officer's ammo pouches and detonated several magazines. Howard continued to drag the officer back to the rest of the platoon, which he rallied for an organized defense. He crawled from position to position, rendering first aid  to the wounded and directing fire on the surrounding enemy force that was estimated to include two companies. For more than three hours, according to the citation, his platoon, aided by air support, repulsed enemy attacks until it was possible for helicopters to extract the Soldiers. Howard was the last man to board the aircraft.

Howard appeared briefly in the movie The Green Berets, starring John Wayne. He also took part in a parachute assault for the movie The Longest Day.

His awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor (three awards), Purple Heart (eight awards), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Air Medal for Valor (two awards), Army Commendation Medal for Valor (three awards), Army Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (four awards), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars, Vietnam Honor Medal (two awards), Vietnamese Wound Medal, Vietnamese Civil Action Medal (two awards), Army Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Valorous Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Republic of Korea Samil Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Aircraft Crewman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnamese Ranger Badge, Army Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab.

 

Col. Howard is survived by his children, Denicia Howard of Florida; Melissa Gentsch and husband, Asst. Chief of Police Frank Gentsch of Waco; Rosslyn Howard of California; Robert Howard Jr. and wife, Tori, of California; and his grandchildren, Victoria Batey and husband, Luke, of Denton, Texas, Holley Gentsch of Waco; Trey Howard of California; and Isabella Gentsch of Waco.

 

Col. Howard is the stuff that Special Forces legends are made of, an example that young men seek to emulate today in places like Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan and the Philippines. Rest in peace, sir. You've earned it.

'Green Berets' Awarded Silver Star

Staff Sgt. Linsey Clarke, a medical sergeant with ODA 3123, Company B, 1st Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Master Sgt. Anthony Siriwardene, an operations sergeant with ODA 3236, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), were recently awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for combat valor, for their actions in Afghanistan.

SSgt. Clarke, via USASOC:

Clarke immediately backed up his vehicle to assist those who had been struck by the roadside bomb. He dismounted and ran through a volley of fire to discover three of the men inside had been killed instantly.  The two remaining teammates were alive, but both were badly wounded.

Clarke found Staff Sgt. Eric Englehardt first. Both his legs were broken and he was bleeding heavily, so Clarke quickly and calmly applied a tourniquet to his right leg and dragged him from the burning vehicle. With no cover, and enemy fire on both sides, Clarke returned to the destroyed vehicle and found Master Sgt. David Hurt. He again dragged his comrade to safety.

With the team’s other medic now tending to the wounded, Clarke volunteered to stay in the firefight to secure the remains of the fallen Soldiers.

MSG Siriwardene:

The sixth engagement found the team taking extraordinary volumes of machine gun fire and a vicious onslaught of rocket propelled grenades. Siriwardene again risked his life by sprinting to the last truck which was taking the brunt of the attack.

As the turret burst into flames, Siriwardene pulled the gunner to safety and then using the cover of a vehicle began to gather up ANA soldiers who had been pinned down by enemy fire.

The following morning, Siriwardene’s team was joined by a Quick Reaction Force element and after the fiercest of the seven battles, was able crush the enemy forces.

“We had pinpointed and fixed the enemy,” said Siriwardene. “Now, we basically controlled the tempo of the battle.”

When the fighting was over, the team was able to confirm 65 enemy kills.

In addition to the two Silver Stars, nine Bronze Stars with valor devices, six Purple Hearts, and 25 Army Commendation Medals with valor devices were awarded to 3rd Group soldiers. Amazing troopers. It makes you wonder what our troops could really accomplish if the politicians would give them the support they need to win this war and come back home to us.

Special Forces Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, of Cockeysville, Maryland, was killed near Pashay Kala, Afghanistan, when an IED hit his vehicle during a mounted patrol. He was assigned as an Intelligence Sergeant to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Maryland Army National Guard.

From his USASOC Special Forces bio.

Pucino a native of Hudson, Boston, Mass., and enlisted into the U.S. Army 2002 as a Special Forces candidate. He then went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course and earn the coveted "Green Beret" as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. He was assigned to 5th SFG, Fort Campbell, Kentucky before leaving active duty to become an Army National Guard Soldier assigned to 2nd Bn., 20th SFG.

Pucino’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, non-commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

SSgt Pucino is survived by his wife Crystal of Clarksville, Tenn., Mother Katherine and Albert of Orlando Fla. and Sister Lisa Haglof, Sagamore, Mass.

Godspeed, Sergeant.

Army Ranger to Receive Silver Star

More incredible tales of heroism coming out of Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton is being awarded the Silver Star medal for extraordinary heroism during an assault on a heavily armed fighter camp in the mountains of Afghanistan Aug. 4 and 5, 2009. Ambushed at close range, Norton ordered his squad to break contact. At great risk to his own life, he then braved multiple rocket-propelled grenades and withering machine gun fire and returned to recover two of his Rangers who lay unconscious in the beaten zone of enemy fire, saving their lives. He then rallied his squad and continued the attack, eliminating two more enemy combatants in the course of the mission. His actions saved the lives of his squad and resulted in the destruction of an enemy headquarters camp.

Norton, 27, serves with 3rd Battalion, 75th Rgr. Regmt., and has been a Ranger for five years.  He has deployed five times in support of the war on terror.

The award ceremony will take place at 1300, Nov. 24 at the Ranger Memorial.

Congratulations and well-earned, SSgt Norton. RLTW!

Keni Thomas Leads the Way

Keni Thomas gets around.

A veteran of the 3rd Ranger Battalion, winner of the Bronze Star with Valor for his service in the famous 'Blackhawk Down' mission in Somalia in 1993, JumpMaster, EMT, Special Forces Combat Diver, one of only a few Americans to complete the Belgium Commando Course, motivational speaker, national spokesperson for the Hero Fund and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, frequently found on USO tours overseas.

Oh, and he's a very successful Nashville recording artist.

On Wednesday, Keni got the call of the lifetime. From the Yankees, no less. A few hours later, he was singing the National Anthem at Game 1 of the World Series in New York. Nervous, naturally, but he turned in a great performance!

Keni's current album Gunslingeris rapidly climbing the charts. Go give it a listen and support our SpecOps warriors.

Also:

An Interview with Ranger Keni Thomas

I support Matt Burden for Illinois HoR's

Finally, a man of honor, courage and integrity in Illinois politics! Matt Burden, soldier, author and advocate for our troops, is running for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 41st District. Somehow, I don't think he offers politics as usual.

You can find his here if you'd like to offer your support or donations. You can also find him at his long time home at BLACKFIVE. And don't forget to add Matt to your Facebook and twitter accounts so you can keep up with his candidacy.

America needs leaders like you, Matt! All the way!

Special Forces Troopers Killed in Phillipines

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Markham, Illinois, and Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma, were killed September 29 in Jolo Island, Philippines, when their vehicle struck an improvised-explosive device. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Washington. They were helping build a school when they were killed.

SFC Shaw's military education included Airborne School, Ranger School, SERE, Combat Lifesaver Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medals and the CIB. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously.

SFC Shaw's family asked issued this statement:

"We lost a husband, father, son, brother and uncle," Shaw's family said. "Chris was a man who deeply loved his family and believed that he was making a difference in the fight against terror."

SSG Martin's military education includes Airborne School, the Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer Course, SERE and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include the CIB, Army Achievement Medals, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously.

SSG Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Wash. He is also survived by his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Okla; and his brother, Abe, and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi. He also had five children.

All the way, indeed.

Ranger Killed in Afghanistan

Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24 of Satellite Beach, Florida, was killed Oct. 1 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned as a Team Leader to Company B, 1^st Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment, out of Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

From USASOC:

“Sgt. Sanchez epitomized the spirit and ethos of the Ranger Regiment,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. “He is a hero to our Nation, our Army and his family."

“Sgt. Sanchez was the quintessential Ranger, enthusiastic, smart, loyal to his mission, his country and his friends,” said Col. Brian Mennes, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Battalion commander. “He led with distinction and would want us to continue supporting the efforts for which he so humbly and selflessly dedicated his life.”

Sgt. Sanchez was on his second deployment to Afghanistan and had been deployed to Iraq three times.

His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the EIB, the CIB and an ARCOM. He was a graduate of the Jumpmaster Course and the Basic EMT Course.

Sgt. Sanchez is survived by his parents 1st Sgt. Will and Wendy Holland and brothers Jacob Goldberg and Logan Holland of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and maternal grandparents James and Mary Wilson of Ocala, Florida.

Three Special Forces Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

SFC Bradley S. Bohle, 29, a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, of Glen Burnie, Maryland; SFC Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, a Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, of Peachtree City, Georgia; and SSG Joshua M. Mills, 24, a Special Forces Communications Sergeant, of El Paso, Texas; died on September 16 after their vehicle was hit by an IED during a mounted patrol the day before. All three men were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, out of Fort Bragg, N.C. 

SFC Bohle had been with the 7th Group since 2006 and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. His military training included SERE School, Airborne and Jumpmaster Schools and the Special Forces "Q" Course. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the CIB.

Bohle is survived by his wife Elizabeth and three daughters Breanna, Jocelyn and Braelyn of Sanford, N.C. and parents Donald and Linda Bohle, of Marydel, Md.

SFC McCloskey had been with the 7th Group since 2004 and was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. His military training included Airborne and Jumpmaster Schools, SERE School, Combat Diver School and the Special Forces "Q" Course. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the CIB.

McCloskey is survived by his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin of Raeford, N.C. and parents Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey of Fayetteville, Ga.

SSG Mills had been with the 7th Group since 2005. His military education included Airborne School, Special Forces Sniper School and the Special Forces "Q" Course. His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the CIB.

Mills is survived by his wife Magen and son Malaki of Raeford, N.C. and parents Tommy and Celeste Mills of El Paso, Texas.

Godspeed, Troopers.