Lackland NCO earns Bronze Star
03-29-2012, 11:47 PM
#1
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Lackland NCO earns Bronze Star
JBSA-Lackland NCO earns Bronze Star
3/22/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- An NCO from the 802nd Comptroller Squadron earned the Bronze Star March 14 for her actions in Afghanistan.
Tech. Sgt. Christina Gamez, a financial analyst in the 802nd CPTS, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service from Brig. Gen. Theresa A. Carter, 502nd Air Base Wing commander, prior to a commander's call at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
The Bronze Star is the U.S. military's fourth-highest individual decoration for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.
Gamez distinguished herself by meritorious achievement as the NCO in charge during a 365-day deployment, January 2011 to January 2012. While in Afghanistan, she accurately executed operational funds across eight remote bases, providing commanders with flexibility in support of counterinsurgency efforts. Gamez trained 68 operational fund teams, reviewed 34 projects and funded 280 joint acquisition board packages enabling critical base sustainment.
"Ask me to recognize anyone else and I can talk for days, but to brag about myself, I'm not the best," Gamez said. "I feel like I did my job, kept a very busy pace and made improvements any place I could."
"I did my best to make a positive impact on the mission, and was surrounded by countless others doing the same," she said. "Between my husband, my leadership both here and in the field, and those who served with me, I had set the bar high. I am truly grateful for their support."
As the financial reviewer of the joint facilities utilization board, Gamez validated forward operating base requirements to provide the facilities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
Gamez took the lead as program manager to draft the statement of work, initiated the joint acquisition review board package and solicited estimates for a mass notification system. Her work will provide an early warning notification system to more than 2,500 personnel at the installation and a nearby camp in the event of imminent attack.
3/22/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- An NCO from the 802nd Comptroller Squadron earned the Bronze Star March 14 for her actions in Afghanistan.
Tech. Sgt. Christina Gamez, a financial analyst in the 802nd CPTS, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service from Brig. Gen. Theresa A. Carter, 502nd Air Base Wing commander, prior to a commander's call at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
The Bronze Star is the U.S. military's fourth-highest individual decoration for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.
Gamez distinguished herself by meritorious achievement as the NCO in charge during a 365-day deployment, January 2011 to January 2012. While in Afghanistan, she accurately executed operational funds across eight remote bases, providing commanders with flexibility in support of counterinsurgency efforts. Gamez trained 68 operational fund teams, reviewed 34 projects and funded 280 joint acquisition board packages enabling critical base sustainment.
"Ask me to recognize anyone else and I can talk for days, but to brag about myself, I'm not the best," Gamez said. "I feel like I did my job, kept a very busy pace and made improvements any place I could."
"I did my best to make a positive impact on the mission, and was surrounded by countless others doing the same," she said. "Between my husband, my leadership both here and in the field, and those who served with me, I had set the bar high. I am truly grateful for their support."
As the financial reviewer of the joint facilities utilization board, Gamez validated forward operating base requirements to provide the facilities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
Gamez took the lead as program manager to draft the statement of work, initiated the joint acquisition review board package and solicited estimates for a mass notification system. Her work will provide an early warning notification system to more than 2,500 personnel at the installation and a nearby camp in the event of imminent attack.
03-30-2012, 01:21 AM
#2
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Posts: 5,193
UFB. The way the Air Force and Army throw the things around, they don't mean crap anymore. Everyone and their dog in the US Army that did a tour in the 'stan got a BSM. The comments on the article are priceless.
The nations 4th highest award, for doing your job. Tragic.
The nations 4th highest award, for doing your job. Tragic.
03-30-2012, 05:45 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by Grumble
UFB. The way the Air Force and Army throw the things around, they don't mean crap anymore. Everyone and their dog in the US Army that did a tour in the 'stan got a BSM. The comments on the article are priceless.
The nations 4th highest award, for doing your job. Tragic.
The nations 4th highest award, for doing your job. Tragic.
I could spot out of the corner of my eye a group of officers visibly upset as the citation was being read.
03-30-2012, 07:31 AM
#7
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Position: Lowest Pay I Could Find
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Not everyone is a hero in garrison or while deployed. This disrespects those that are.
Rhode Island Guard Soldier makes selfless, ultimate sacrifice for Afghan child | Article | The United States Army
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 28, 2012) -- The actions of one Rhode Island National Guard Soldier epitomized the Army Value of selfless service, "doing one's duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain," as he heroically saved an Afghan child without regard for his own life.
Sgt. Dennis P. Weichel Jr., 29, of Providence, R.I, died March 22, from injuries sustained when he was struck by an armored fighting vehicle after moving an Afghan child to safety.
"Sadly, today we realized the death of a Rhode Island National Guard Soldier in a combat zone, and we are once again reminded of the enduring sacrifice our Soldiers and Airmen have made, and continue to make, in service to this great country," said Gen. Kevin McBride, adjutant general of Rhode Island and commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, in a press release March 23.
Weichel, an Infantryman, mobilized with Company C, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 56th Troop Command, to Camp Atterbury, Ind. in November 2011, and then deployed forward to Afghanistan in early March.
On the morning of March 22, Weichel and members of his unit were leaving the Black Hills Firing Range in Laghman province, Afghanistan, when they encountered multiple Afghan children in the path of their convoy. Weichel was among several Soldiers who dismounted to disperse the children away from the vehicles.
As one child attempted to retrieve an item from underneath a U.S. Army mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, , known as an MRAP, Weichel moved her to safety and was struck by the MRAP in the process.
Weichel was evacuated to the Jalalabad Medical Treatment Facility where he succumbed to his wounds.
The circumstances of Weichel's death speak to his character, said Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, Weichel's mentor who deployed with him to Iraq in 2005.
"He would have done it for anybody," said Corbett. "That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was that type of guy."
Weichel was posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist to sergeant, March 26.
He had been a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard since 2001. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 as a member of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) Regiment, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Weichel was considered a fun loving guy yet a model Soldier, according to Corbett and 1st Sgt. Nicky Peppe, who also served with Weichel in Iraq.
"When I first heard, I kept expecting him to jump up and say, 'Oh, I got you guys,'" said Corbett. "The last few days have hit me hard."
"He was a big kid at heart. He always had a smile on his face and he made everyone laugh," said Peppe. "But as much as Weichel was funny, he was also a professional. When it was time to go outside the wire for a combat patrol, he was all business."
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has ordered U.S. and Rhode Island flags across the state to be flown at half-staff until Weichel is laid to rest.
Weichel is survived by three children, his fiancée, and his parents.
"Tragically, Sergeant Weichel has made the supreme sacrifice, and at this time, we are mindful of the impact of that sacrifice on his family and friends," said McBride. "I pledge this command's perpetual support to Sergeant Weichel's family. We leave no Soldier behind, and we will not leave Sergeant Weichel's family behind."
Rhode Island Guard Soldier makes selfless, ultimate sacrifice for Afghan child | Article | The United States Army
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 28, 2012) -- The actions of one Rhode Island National Guard Soldier epitomized the Army Value of selfless service, "doing one's duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain," as he heroically saved an Afghan child without regard for his own life.
Sgt. Dennis P. Weichel Jr., 29, of Providence, R.I, died March 22, from injuries sustained when he was struck by an armored fighting vehicle after moving an Afghan child to safety.
"Sadly, today we realized the death of a Rhode Island National Guard Soldier in a combat zone, and we are once again reminded of the enduring sacrifice our Soldiers and Airmen have made, and continue to make, in service to this great country," said Gen. Kevin McBride, adjutant general of Rhode Island and commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, in a press release March 23.
Weichel, an Infantryman, mobilized with Company C, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 56th Troop Command, to Camp Atterbury, Ind. in November 2011, and then deployed forward to Afghanistan in early March.
On the morning of March 22, Weichel and members of his unit were leaving the Black Hills Firing Range in Laghman province, Afghanistan, when they encountered multiple Afghan children in the path of their convoy. Weichel was among several Soldiers who dismounted to disperse the children away from the vehicles.
As one child attempted to retrieve an item from underneath a U.S. Army mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, , known as an MRAP, Weichel moved her to safety and was struck by the MRAP in the process.
Weichel was evacuated to the Jalalabad Medical Treatment Facility where he succumbed to his wounds.
The circumstances of Weichel's death speak to his character, said Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, Weichel's mentor who deployed with him to Iraq in 2005.
"He would have done it for anybody," said Corbett. "That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was that type of guy."
Weichel was posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist to sergeant, March 26.
He had been a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard since 2001. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 as a member of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) Regiment, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Weichel was considered a fun loving guy yet a model Soldier, according to Corbett and 1st Sgt. Nicky Peppe, who also served with Weichel in Iraq.
"When I first heard, I kept expecting him to jump up and say, 'Oh, I got you guys,'" said Corbett. "The last few days have hit me hard."
"He was a big kid at heart. He always had a smile on his face and he made everyone laugh," said Peppe. "But as much as Weichel was funny, he was also a professional. When it was time to go outside the wire for a combat patrol, he was all business."
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has ordered U.S. and Rhode Island flags across the state to be flown at half-staff until Weichel is laid to rest.
Weichel is survived by three children, his fiancée, and his parents.
"Tragically, Sergeant Weichel has made the supreme sacrifice, and at this time, we are mindful of the impact of that sacrifice on his family and friends," said McBride. "I pledge this command's perpetual support to Sergeant Weichel's family. We leave no Soldier behind, and we will not leave Sergeant Weichel's family behind."
03-30-2012, 11:28 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,945
Originally Posted by ExAF
Agreed, but alas, the Bronze Star (without valor) has become the new Commendation medal. Fortunately the V device still means something.
All of my friends awarded the medal with valor were awarded it for incredible actions under high stress.
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