MoH to be awarded on 11 Feb. 2013

[azyeoman]

http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2013/02/enemy-in-the-wire-staff-sgt-clinton-romesha-medal-of-honor-recipient/

Sgt. Clinton Romesha will be awarded the Medal of Honor on 11 February 2013.

Edited February 10, 2013 by azyeoman

[Alex K]

Hi I assume it's the guy in the foreground. Nice to see that military tradition is still upheld, and I assume a very uncommon event, (Is this the same as the Congressional medal of Honour?, excuse my ignorance) any idea what he did to deserve the award?.

regards

Alex

[IrishGunner]

Alex; the official title is simply "Medal of Honor". It is sometimes called the "Cogressional Medal of Honor" because it is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. This is a colloquial/unofficial name for the medal.

You can find out more about the award and ceremony here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/11/171703108/medal-of-honor-recipient-thinks-about-men-he-was-not-able-to-save

Edited February 11, 2013 by IrishGunner

[azyeoman]

Hi I assume it's the guy in the foreground. Nice to see that military tradition is still upheld, and I assume a very uncommon event, (Is this the same as the Congressional medal of Honour?, excuse my ignorance) any idea what he did to deserve the award?.

regards

Alex

Yes, it's the man in the foreground who received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The citation shows he deserved it. http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/romesha/citation.html

Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. On that morning, Staff Sergeant Romesha and his comrades awakened to an attack by an estimated 300 enemy fighters occupying the high ground on all four sides of the complex, employing concentrated fire from recoilless rifles, rocket propelled grenades, anti-aircraft machine guns, mortars and small arms fire. Staff Sergeant Romesha moved uncovered under intense enemy fire to conduct a reconnaissance of the battlefield and seek reinforcements from the barracks before returning to action with the support of an assistant gunner. Staff Sergeant Romesha took out an enemy machine gun team and, while engaging a second, the generator he was using for cover was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, inflicting him with shrapnel wounds. Undeterred by his injuries, Staff Sergeant Romesha continued to fight and upon the arrival of another soldier to aid him and the assistant gunner, he again rushed through the exposed avenue to assemble additional soldiers. Staff Sergeant Romesha then mobilized a five-man team and returned to the fight equipped with a sniper rifle. With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Romesha continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, as he moved confidently about the battlefield engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets, including three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost’s perimeter. While orchestrating a successful plan to secure and reinforce key points of the battlefield, Staff Sergeant Romesha maintained radio communication with the tactical operations center. As the enemy forces attacked with even greater ferocity, unleashing a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and recoilless rifle rounds, Staff Sergeant Romesha identified the point of attack and directed air support to destroy over 30 enemy fighters. After receiving reports that seriously injured Soldiers were at a distant battle position, Staff Sergeant Romesha and his team provided covering fire to allow the injured Soldiers to safely reach the aid station. Upon receipt of orders to proceed to the next objective, his team pushed forward 100 meters under overwhelming enemy fire to recover and prevent the enemy fighters from taking the bodies of their fallen comrades. Staff Sergeant Romesha’s heroic actions throughout the day-long battle were critical in suppressing an enemy that had far greater numbers. His extraordinary efforts gave Bravo Troop the opportunity to regroup, reorganize and prepare for the counterattack that allowed the Troop to account for its personnel and secure Combat Outpost Keating. Staff Sergeant Romesha’s discipline and extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

Edited February 12, 2013 by azyeoman

[dond]

I wonder what the officer that sited the combat outpost in a spot that had commanding terrain on all four sides got......

[Alex K]

A very nice and full citation, does the ceremony occur in an fanfare of trumpets etc or is it done in private?

Once again ignore my ignorance, but genuine interest

[Paul C]

I wonder what the officer that sited the combat outpost in a spot that had commanding terrain on all four sides got......

My thoughts excatly. I forgot who said it but "always take the high ground".

[Chris Boonzaier]

There must have been a reason for setting up where they did??

[dond]

Probably to be in close proximity to the locals. Good PR.

[Les]

Jake Tapper's book "The Outpost" is a two part history of why a base was established there despite all of the negative aspects of it's location beginning in 2005, and the early attempts of the 10th Mountain to establish battalion size or larger Coalition unit presence in the province, and start pacifying parts of the Korengal Valley.

For those who don't want to read a full length book on Outpost Keating and the Battle of Kamdesh, there is a Wiki article that summarizes why the outpost was established and held despite it's obvious problems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kamdesh

[azyeoman]

Thanks Les for posting this info.

[Kvart]

A very nice and full citation, does the ceremony occur in an fanfare of trumpets etc or is it done in private?

Once again ignore my ignorance, but genuine interest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUjM7zxHpeI