 |
3/1 Soldier Awarded Silver Star For Afghanistan Heroics
(October 22, 2010) | 
|
|
|
FORT KNOX, KY (Oct. 18, 2010) - Sgt. Zachary Reese rolled
the dice in 2006 as a civilian when mulling a career move.
Four years later, his decision to join the U.S. Army paid
off in ways he probably couldn't have imagined, with his
fellow soldiers and nation the biggest winners.
 Reese received the Silver Star Medal on Monday,
during a ceremony at Sadowski Field House at
Fort Knox, Ky. Brig. Gen. David C. Petersen,
deputy commanding general (Rear), 1st Infantry
Division, presided over the ceremony.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military
decoration that can be awarded to a member of
the United States armed forces for valor in the
face of the enemy. The required gallantry must
have been performed with marked distinction,
which was certainly evident in Reese's case,
according to Petersen.
During his comments to the audience, Petersen
spoke of Reese's actions in April 2009, while
assigned to a reconnaissance platoon of the 1st
Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment “Blue Spaders,”
who are part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division. Reese's platoon was operating
in the volatile Korengal Valley of Afghanistan
as part
of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Reese observed a large group of enemy fighters approaching
his unit that day and reported the enemy force to his
superiors. His unit was then able to take precautions and
set up a hasty ambush with just enough time to deal with the
threat. Several enemy fighters died where they stood because
of Reese's actions, but that didn't end his involvement.
After the firefight, he went back and searched the enemy
dead. An enemy fighter feigning death lunged at him, but
Reese was able to use his knife to dispatch the enemy.
Through it all, Reese still doesn't consider himself a hero. In fact, he's
pretty quick to hand off any credit to others that he served with.
“What made it easy was having all these guys next to you,” he said.
Many others, including Petersen, felt Reese's actions that day were not only far
from ordinary, but represented something even higher.
“Your bravery that day embodies the spirit of the Big Red One,” said Petersen.
Reese admits to simply doing his job. He says he was grateful that his buddies
were there not only to help each other out when needed on the battlefield, but
to also help pass the time with their camaraderie. Most importantly, he said,
their bond and unique contributions in Afghanistan bore large amounts of mission
fruit.
“We felt we were making a difference,” said Reese.
As for the next big step in his life, Reese and his wife Reina are looking
forward to him becoming a civilian again. He will be leaving the Army early next
year for a college classroom. Federal service may call again in the future, but
Reese is hopeful it will be in the form of working for the U.S. Border Patrol.
He had gone to college previously, before his fateful decision to enlist back in
2006.
What eventually prompted him to join, then, four event-filled years ago?
“I decided the military was going to be a good bet for me,” he said.
The Army, and a grateful Nation, couldn't agree more. | |
Article and photo by Army Sgt. John Zumer
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Copyright 2010
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article
|
Silver Star Recipients |
Other Heroes |
|
