Vietnam Vet's Bronze Star for Valor worth more than just mailing it in

Vet who got medal late, through mail, may get ceremony
By Dan Blottenberger, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, August 18, 2009
BAMBERG, Germany — A Vietnam veteran who waited 40 years to get his Bronze Star — only to receive it in the mail — might soon get his day in the sun.

Late last month, Alfred Pankey, a retired Army staff sergeant, received his Bronze Star Medal with “V” device in a nondescript yellow envelope sent to his Bamberg post office box.

U.S. Army Europe leaders decided to look into the delayed medal after a story about him appeared in Stars and Stripes.

Bruce Anderson, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe, said the command is looking into the possibility of presenting Pankey his medal in “ the appropriate forum.” He did not provide any further details.
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http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=64243

Veteran finally receives his Bronze Star Medal for 1967 battle in Vietnam

Veteran finally receives his Bronze Star Medal for 1967 battle in Vietnam
By Dan Blottenberger, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, August 9, 2009
BAMBERG, Germany — The package Alfred Pankey had waited more than 40 years for finally arrived.

The retired Army staff sergeant, now 69, hobbled into the post office on crutches anxiously looking for his long overdue Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for his acts of valor in a battle that claimed the lives of nine of his comrades.

“Yeah man, I was awarded this in Vietnam, but I never received the medal,” Pankey said, proudly holding his newest possession.

“I’ve been trying to get this award for the longest time.”

After retiring in Germany with his family in 1982, Pankey began the process of searching through his military records and contacting his hometown retirement center to see what happened to his award. He said he sent numerous letters and made tons of phone calls.
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http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=64077

Three Fort Benning Soldiers awarded medals of valor

3 Benning soldiers awarded medals for actions

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Mar 31, 2009 11:16:20 EDT

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Three Fort Benning soldiers have been awarded medals of valor for their action in Afghanistan.

The honors Monday were for action in the Battle of Wanat on July 13, 2008. Silver stars went to Capt. Matthew E. Myer and Sgt. Michael T. Denton. A bronze star with a V device was awarded to Sgt. 1st Class David L. Dzwik.
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3 Benning soldiers awarded medals for actions

Fort Stewart soldier receives Bronze Star with Valor

Fort Stewart soldier receives Bronze Star with Valor
Posted: Feb 23, 2009 04:03 PM EST

By Michelle Paynter

FORT STEWART, GA (WTOC) - A young Third Infantry Division soldier was honored with a top Army award, the Bronze Star with Valor.

It was awarded today Spc. Sixto Garcia. He is assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3-69 Armor Battalion, also known as the "Speed and Power" battalion.

The 24-year-old is soft spoken, but when it comes to fighting a war, Spc. Garcia's fellow soldiers said he's the man you want by your side.

Including Lt. Col. Jessie Robinson who spoke at today's event. "Personally I feel blessed and honored to be privileged to be your battalion commander," he said at today's ceremony on Fort Stewart.
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Trio of Marines receive Bronze Star

Trio of Marines receive Bronze Star
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, December 1, 2008
CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa — Although Iraq is much quieter these days for U.S. troops, danger still lurks.

Just ask some of the Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. The Okinawa-based troops returned here last month after a seven-month deployment in Anbar province, where they patrolled booby-trapped areas and engaged in firefights.

Last week, their battalion commander pinned combat decorations on the chests of three of those Marines.

The commanding officer of 3rd Recon — Lt. Col. Oliver B. Spencer — presented the Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor to Sgt. Scott D. Redmund, Capt. Luke Lazzo and Sgt. George J. Callum for their actions in combat.

"You just have to say, ‘My God, I am standing amongst heroes,’ " said Spencer, who did not deploy with the recon Marines and just took command of the battalion Nov. 19.

Spencer’s heroes told the stories behind the medals.
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http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59150

NJ official accused of falsifying military record

NJ official accused of falsifying military record
Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA
November 26, 2008
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ An official in the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has been accused of falsifying his veteran and government records in order to receive a tax exemption and medical benefits.

William Devereaux, the department's director of veterans programs, was arrested Monday, issued a summons and released. A court hearing has not yet been scheduled.

In announcing the arrest on Wednesday, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said the 63-year-old Laurel Springs resident invented a false history of combat heroism in the Vietnam War. The prosecutor's office said its investigation was prompted by information provided by the county Office of Veterans Affairs.

Prosecutors said Devereaux falsely claimed on military benefits forms for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that he served as a paratrooper and artilleryman during the war and was injured multiple times. He also claimed to have received medals including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" device.
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Bronze Star honors sailor’s Iraq service

Bronze Star honors sailor’s Iraq service
By Travis J. Tritten, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, November 14, 2008

A Navy lieutenant was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device Monday on Okinawa for the very dangerous work of eliminating explosives in the Anbar province of Iraq in 2007.

But for Lt. Jonathan Haase, the deployment had been a "lot of fun," he said. He added he never thought he would earn such a high award when he joined the U.S. Navy.

The sailor said he was most grateful for something else — having his wife at the award ceremony.

"My wife was home for the kids and it was a way to thank her for all the support that she gave me," Haase said. "For me, it was really gratifying that she was there."

Haase was given the award for routinely exposing himself to grave and immediate danger as the officer-in-charge of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five Detachment One, which operated in Iraq from June until December 2007.
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Hero Pfc. Jason Carten insists he was "just doing my job"

Courtesy photo
U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Carten graduated from Oakridge High School in 1999. He was awarded the Bronze Star for fighting off insurgents in Iraq in a firefight on May 22, 2007.

U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Carten insists he was "just doing my job, ma'am."

But the U.S. Army begs to differ with the 28-year-old Muskegon soldier who, despite his humble assessment of courage under fire on the battlefields of Iraq, recently was awarded a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest military combat award.

On May 22, 2007, Carten fought off insurgents during an "intense" 22-minute firefight, allowing medical personnel to evacuate a wounded soldier.

"I was just doing what I was supposed to do," Carten said. "I was doing what I needed to do."


Carten, who graduated from Oakridge High School in 1999, currently is recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury at Fort Carson, Col. He was exposed to as many as 100 improvised explosive device detonations during his 13-month deployment to Iraq.

Carten enlisted in the Army on March 2, 2006, and was assigned to the 72nd Engineers, 1st Engineer Battalion. He was deployed to FOB Warhorse in Baqubah, Iraq, as a trailblazer in September 2006.

Within the first four months of his deployment, Carten was involved in more than 20 engagements with the enemy with eight confirmed kills and more than 50 IED discoveries and detonations, according to information reported at his Bronze Star ceremony.

Carten braved enemy fire to help rescue fellow soldiers on at least three occasions.

Lt. General Eric Schoomaker, the Army's Surgeon General, presented the Bronze Star to Carten at Fort Carson, Col., on April 29. Carten has also received three ARCOM -- Army Commendation Medals -- for his heroism. He is expected to receive the Purple Heart, awarded for his injuries, soon.
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http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/06/muskegon_soldier_receives_bron.html

Army Spc. Russell Johnson Bronze Star V

As with other soldiers in Iraq and other wars, Johnson still had some intangible reminders of the trauma of war. A soldier may leave the war, but the war does not always leave the soldier.

"When he first came home, he was having nightmares," said Harold Johnson, Russell's father. "He was taking medication."

Deltona soldier decorated for saving comrade

BEACON PHOTO COURTESY SPC. RUSSELL JOHNSON

Honored for heroism —U.S. Army Spc. Russell Johnson receives the Bronze Star with a V for valor, along with a certificate for his heroic service in rescuing a fellow soldier from a burning vehicle during an attack in Iraq last spring. He was decorated Jan. 19 at Fort Hood, Texas, home of the 1st Cavalry Division. Johnson's family lives in Deltona.

Published 2-29-2008

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

— John 15:13


June 3, 2007, is a day Army Spc. Russell Johnson will never forget.

While Americans at home were enjoying their Sunday, Johnson had to act quickly to save a fellow soldier when their Bradley fighting vehicle was heavily damaged by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

For that act of gallantry, the Deltona GI would win the Bronze Star, one of America's highest honors for bravery in battle. His Bronze Star also has a "V" for valor.

"We were out on our second patrol of the day, and we kept passing this one checkpoint. My Bradley was hit by an IED [improvised explosive device]. The Bradley was burning. I drove the Bradley about 100 meters outside the kill zone," Johnson told The DeLand-Deltona Beacon.

He was serving in the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, and the division was about halfway through its 15-month deployment in Iraq.

Of the three soldiers in the flaming vehicle, Johnson was the only one not hurt. The machine-gunner was injured by the blast that had killed their commander.

Johnson had to act quickly amid multiple dangers: The Bradley fighting vehicle was ablaze, and the machine-gun ammunition was "cooking off" as the flames came into contact with the bullets. There was also hostile fire from Iraqi insurgents.

To save the gunner, Spc. Robert Cresanto, Johnson lifted the body of his dead commander, Sgt. Caleb Christopher, off Cresanto, and pulled Cresanto out of the Bradley.

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