Release A050616e

Kentucky Guardsmen decorated for gallantry

CAMP LIBERTY , Iraq – A ceremony honoring the valorous efforts of a group of Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers was held under a glaring sun at Camp Liberty June 16.

The 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky., stood at the position of attention as seven of their own were decorated with three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars with valor devices, two Army Commendation Medals with valor devices, and one Purple Heart for heroics performed during a March 20, 2005, firefight in which their actions resulted in the elimination of more than 30 anti-Iraqi forces and the capture of a large cache of weapons.

The company was in formation between two armored vehicles as the command “Awardees, post,” rang out from company commander Capt. Todd M. Lindner.

Decorating the Soldiers was Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commanding General, Lt. General John R. Vines.

Each of the seven Soldiers respectfully saluted as Vines pinned medals upon their chests. Citations were read and Vines spoke afterwards of the gallantry of the awardees.

“My heroes don't play in the (National Basketball Association,)” Vines said. “My heroes don't play in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. My heroes are standing in front of me today… I salute you.”

The position of attention was again called, and the singing of the Army Song rounded out the ceremony. Each guest congratulated the seven Soldiers with a hand shake and group photographs were taken with the Soldiers.

“It was a good day,” said Sgt. Dustin Morris, who received the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device. Morris was the driver for the lead HUMMV in the attack. The actions of the day didn't sink in for him until he got back to camp, he said.

“It didn't sink in until the next day what had happened,” Morris said. “I never expected anything like this to come of it, with this many people. I'm real pleased though and I'm proud to be in this unit.”

The events that led to the ceremony started as the 617th's second squad was shadowing a supply convoy during route patrol.

"We saw a lot of dust being kicked up by the convoy vehicles, as if they were being engaged by an [improvised explosive device] or an ambush,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein, squad leader, second squad. “We knew something was wrong.”

The squad proceeded directly into an ambush site.

"As we came on the scene, the [terrorists]' fire all shifted," said Nein, who received the Silver Star for his actions. "They realized who they needed to fire on. They quickly shifted all fire from the transportation convoy to us.”

The terrorists had placed getaway vehicles on a road beside the field they were in. Nein and his Soldiers proceeded to this side, flanking the terrorists and cutting off any chance for escape. “The [terrorists] didn't have a choice but to stay and fight,” Nein said.

The Soldiers from second squad laid down fire from .50 caliber machine guns, Mark 19 grenade launchers, and M240B machine guns.

Once the dust settled, 27 terrorists were dead, six were wounded, and one was captured.

“I felt immediately that what they did was worthy of high recognition, and there was no hesitation in putting them in for these awards,” McQueary said. “I feel real proud that they are in this company.”

Receiving the Silver Star were: Staff Sgt. Timothy F. Nein from Henryville , Ind. ; Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester from Bowling Green , Ky. , and Spc. Jason Mike from Radcliff , Ky.

Receiving the Bronze Star with “V” device were: Spc. Ashley Pullen from Danville , Ky. ; Spc. William Haynes II (who was unable to make the ceremony); and Spc. Casey Cooper from Princeton , Ky. Cooper was also awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the attack.

Receiving the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device were: Sgt. Dustin Morris from Murray , Ky. , and Spc. Jesse Ordunez from Marshall County, Ky.

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CUTLINES:

050616-A-5930C-001 – Spc. Casey M. Cooper, military policeman, 617th Military Police Company, Richmond , Ky. , stands at parade rest during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty , Iraq , June 16, 2005. Cooper was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with "V" device at the ceremony for his actions during a March 20, 2005 firefight in which he and fellow Soldiers thwarted an ambush by more than 30 anti-Iraqi forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp.)

050616-A-5930C-002 – Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph E. Shelley, command sergeant major, 18th Military Police Brigade, Mannheim Germany , extends his gratitude to Spc. Jesse Ordunez, military policeman, 617th MP Company, Richmond , Ky. , during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty , Iraq , June 16, 2005. Ordunez was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device at the ceremony for his actions on March 20, 2005, where he and fellow Soldiers of the 617th thwarted an ambush by more than 30 anti-Iraqi forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc Jeremy D. Crisp)

050616-A-5930C-003 – Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commanding General, Lt. General John R. Vines addresses the Soldiers of the 617th Military Police Company, 503rd MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, Mannheim, Germany, during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 16, 2005. The ceremony honored the actions of eight Soldiers who thwarted a March 20, 2005, terrorist attack on a supply convoy. Awardees from left to right are: Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, Spc. Jason Mike, Spc. Casey Cooper, Sgt. Dustin Morris, and Spc. Jesse Ordunez. Not present are Spc. Ashley Pullen and Spc. William Haynes II. Three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars with "V" device, and two Army Commendation Medals with "V" device were awarded during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp.)

050616-A-5930C-004 – Lt. General John R. Vines, Multi-national Corps-Iraq commanding general, returns the salute of Spc. Jesse Ordunez, military policeman, 617th Military Police Company, 503rd MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, Mannheim, Germany during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 16, 2005. Ordunez, from Marshall County, Ky., was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with valor device for his actions on March 20, 2005 in which he and fellow Soldiers of the 617th repelled an ambush by more than 30 anti-Iraqi forces. Awards issued during the ceremony included three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars with valor device, and two Army Commendation Medals with valor device. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp.)

050616-A-5930C-005 – Soldiers from the 617th Military Police Company, Richmond , Ky. , stand at parade rest during an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty , Iraq , June 16, 2005. Receiving awards from right to left are: Spc. Jesse Ordunez, Sgt. Dustin Morris, Spc. Casey Cooper, Spc. Jason Mike, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Nein. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp)

050616-A-5930C-006 – Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, vehicle commander, 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Ky., stands at the position of attention before receiving the Silver Star at an awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 16, 2005. Hester is the first female Soldier serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to receive the Silver Star. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp.)

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT COL BILLY J. BUCKNER, MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS-IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS, BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text72311 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .