CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Monday morning three soldiers with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Currahee) were awarded the the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, awarded for valorduring a ceremony on Fort Campbell.
 
(TO VIEW THE IMAGES OF THE EVENT CLICK HERE.)
 
Staff Sergeant William Stuckey, Sergeant Shaun Chandler, and Specialist Michael Garcia were all honored with the award for their service during Operation Three Villages during operations on June 29^th, 2011.
 
SSG Stuckey’s squad underwent rocket propelled grenade and machine gun fire near Hashemkheyl Village. Through the quick and professional actions of the three men, with disregard to personal safety, gained fire superiority and secured the area.
 
“It’s a tremendous honor to be with Currahee CAV this morning,” Colonel Valery Keaveny Jr. began his address.
 
The Colonel extolled high praise and respect to the soldiers gathered at the ceremony. For the three soldiers receiving the Medal of Valor, Keaveny explained the men moved up to 800 meters under heavy fire to transport “brothers” injured during operations.
 
“This is the stuff of legends guys, this is the stuff of legend,” pronounced Keaveny.
 
The Colonel led into his commendation of the Currahee with explaining how rare the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, awarded for valor is awarded. According to Keaveny less than one percent of all Americans will wear the uniform and an even smaller number will earn the recognition and valor the three soldiers had. Keaverny aid the actions of the three men have caused the Colonel to be recharged and more enthusiastic about their mission. The Colonel explained the soldiers being recognized were a standard all other soldiers should hold themselves up to.

“It ought to make you very proud. For those of you that are still trying to pick out a goal in life, where you want to go and what you want to be, I ask you to take this morning to rededicate yourself to living up to the lineage that our great Currahee nation has earned through blood, sweat, and tears,” the Colonel told the crowd.
 
The soldiers awarded the Medals explained the original mission was to find casualties and information regarding combatants embedded in the village. According to the soldiers, the combatant forces had forced the people of the village to provide food and shelter through threats and violence.  During the return from the site, the men were ambushed but kept moving forward despite the incoming fire and the depletion of ammunition.
 
Three soldiers were injured during the fight, but there were no deaths from that operation according to the three soldiers. All three men, when asked how it felt to earn the medal responded in the true hero’s answer, “It’s part of my job; there are a lot of other people that deserve the same award."




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