Aviation Soldiers Earn Medals for Valor; Unit Receives

By Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - Two Soldiers from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) were recognized with medals for valor at Wheeler Army Airfield after taking exemplary actions which saved the lives of their fellow Soldiers during the most recent deployment to northern Iraq. Their battalion also was rewarded.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Elliot and Sgt. Corey Haynes, both from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th CAB, were awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" device for valor, presented by Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, in front of family and their fellow Soldiers.

Both Soldiers were serving as part of an aircrew during a special mission in northern Iraq when they began to receive direct enemy fire.

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, Col. Michael Lundy, commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Lt. Col. David Francis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, add the streamer for a Meritorious Unit Commendation to the battalion's colors as its Soldiers watch during a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 24. The battalion was recognized for distinguishing itself with meritorious service for at least six continuous months during combat operations in Multinational Division-North in Iraq.

"This is an example of two Soldiers who did what I would call the harder right than the easy wrong," said Brown. "They saw fellow Soldiers in need and despite all the dangers they went out, and recovered and provided first aid, and saved the lives of three of our fellow teammates on a special mission."

As Col. Michael Lundy, commander, 25th CAB, and Lt. Col. David Francis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, "Diamond Head," looked on, the deputy commanding general spoke to the battalion.

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, Col. Michael Lundy, commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Lt. Col. David Francis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, add the streamer for a Meritorious Unit Commendation to the battalion's colors as its Soldiers look on during a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 24. The battalion was recognized for distinguishing itself with meritorious service for at least six continuous months during combat operations in Multinational Division-North in Iraq.

"The important lesson of this is just about anyone of you out there would have done the same thing. It may be you next time. We're on a great team here. It's a real honor for me to be here and to present the awards to these heroes."

Elliot, who is actually a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic with E Company, 2-25th Avn. Regt., served as a door gunner and explained his experience.

"We were conducting an air assault and the Special Forces team we were working with came under fire and some of the guys were pretty seriously injured. We helped load the guys up in the aircraft and provide first aid. I want to give respect to the guys that are probably injured for the rest of their lives because of [the attack.]"

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, pins the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor on Staff Sgt. Christopher Elliot and Sgt. Corey Haynes during a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 24. Both Soldiers were recognized for saving the lives of three Soldiers during a mission in northern Iraq during the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade's most recent deployment.

He continued, "At the time I was just shocked at how fast things can come unraveled. It seems like after 12 months or however long we'd been out there [in Iraq] complacency starts to set in and things can hit the fan pretty quick and they sure did. It was just really chaotic at the time and we just tried to do the right thing. In manuals, and training that you do in your Army career, some things are just hard to train for. You have to do what's instinctive and help out your fellow Soldiers as much as you possibly can."

Haynes, a crew chief from B Co., 2-25th Avn. Regt., shared their actions during the chaotic event from a simplified perspective.

"We just helped some fellow Soldiers out and got back home," he said. "I wasn't in shock [when it happened]. I was relieved they made it alright."

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, congratulates Sgt. Corey Haynes after pinning the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor on him and Staff Sgt. Christopher Elliot during a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 24. Both Soldiers were recognized for saving the lives of three Soldiers during the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade's recent 15-month deployment to northern Iraq.

He also shared some advice for any young Soldiers that might find themselves in the same situation.

"Pay attention to all your training. It all comes back to you when it matters."

The two stalwart Soldiers weren't the only ones to receive recognition.

Brown also awarded Task Force "Diamond Head" the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for its service in support of Operation "Iraqi Freedom" during the 25th CAB's 15-month deployment to Multinational Division-North. The MUC is awarded to units that have distinguished themselves with meritorious service for at least six continuous months while conducting military operations against armed enemies on or after January, 1st 1944.

"This unit, and this entire brigade, set a standard in Iraq that others are trying to follow and just did an incredible job," concluded Brown.