Silver Stars Awarded at Ft Campbell

Via Military.com

Fort Campbell GIs Earn Silver Stars
Army News Service February 28, 2007
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Just more than 200 Silver Stars have been awarded for Operation Iraqi Freedom since it began in 2003, and three of them now belong to Soldiers from one Fort Campbell platoon.

The 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, returned in November from the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, with stories of heroism. When a barrage of small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades pierced the night silence on March 13, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilzcek, Spc. Jose Alvarez and Spc. Gregory Pushkin discovered how they would react in an intense, deadly situation.

"I immediately freaked out," said Alvarez, who was able to regain his composure upon seeing his comrade, Staff Sgt. Marco Silva, incapacitated in the middle of the street.

Alvarez left cover and ran into the kill zone. He covered his buddy's body with his own and returned fire on the enemy. "I snatched him up and started dragging him away," Alvarez said.

While Alvarez dragged Silva to the safety of cover, two pieces of shrapnel plunged into his leg. "I was pretty laid out," he said...

..."All three men risked their lives numerous times to come to the aid of their comrades," said Lt. Col. Ron Clark, 1st Bn., 506th Inf. Reg., commander.

Schloesser also awarded 14 Bronze Stars with Valor to other unit members during the same ceremony. In all, nearly 200 awards were given to the Band of Brothers Soldiers, including 87 Purple Hearts and 91 Army Commendation Medals with Valor.

(Pfc. Paul David Ondik writes for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 505th Infantry Regiment.)

For the whole story go HERE

Way to go TF BOB!