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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- What actions or characteristics
describe a hero? Would you recognize a hero if he or she were
standing next to you or speaking with you?
Many have
witnessed accounts of heroism reported through a variety of media
sources, but what drives a person to perform heroic acts? Is it in
their bloodline? Curious questions that may never provoke a similar
response, however one fact will remain true...
Heroes Come In All
Shapes and Sizes
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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James C. McConville, commanding general,
Combined Joint Task Force - 101 and Regional Command East, presents Sgt. Zachary R. Berline (2nd left) and Cpl. Jered R.
Dominey (far right), with the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device during
an awards ceremony on September 18, 2013 at the main courtyard of
the RC-East Joint Operations Center at Bagram Air Field,
Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Mark A. Moore II combined by
USA Patriotism!)
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U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary R. Berline stands just over
six-feet-tall, squared shoulders and jaw. A college-educated
man who speaks moderately slow, his words are direct and
their meaning rarely misunderstood. Older than most of his
fellow infantry team leaders assigned to 2nd Battalion, 14th
Infantry Regiment, 2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade,
Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Berline enlisted after
completing his bachelor's degree.
"My recruiter was
kind of surprised that I wanted to join the infantry," said Berline. "He said they saw it all the time
though, guys who scored high on their entry exams, could
pick any job in the Army, but insist on joining combat
arms."
Berline continued to say not joining the
infantry might be a decision he would live to regret.
Standing beside Berline in front of the 9/11 memorial
located in the main courtyard of the Regional Command East
Joint Operations Center on Bagram Air Field was Cpl. Jered
R. Dominey.
Dominey is a soft spoken soldier who is
of average size and works as an intelligence collector
assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2/10
SFAB, FOB Sharana and describes himself as just another
intelligence nerd.
Physically, these men are very
different but they share common traits. The values the Army
has instilled in these two Soldiers allowed them to execute
their mission flawlessly. Their actions saved the lives of
those around them, distinguishing them from their peers.
On May 27, 2013, Berline's infantry team came under
heavy rocket fire, resulting in multiple Afghan National
Army soldiers being wounded and structures dangerously close
to an ammo supply point being set ablaze.
"It wasn't
until the fifth day of our mission that things really hit
home," said Berline. "We saw the incoming rockets hit the
ANA side of the base and that's when we saw the fire."
With disregard for his own safety, Berline rushed to the
aid of the ANA soldiers already attempting to put out the
fire while his team followed closely behind.
"We
gathered up our soldiers and rushed to help," said Berline.
"We divided into teams, some set security, some tended to
the injured, and others went to where the structures were
burning."
On that day, the bonds between U.S.
Soldiers and Afghan National Security Forces grew stronger.
"It really didn't matter if Americans or Afghans
were in the bunkers, they needed help and we were going to
provide that help," said Berline. "The success of the day
was in the training; everyone helped that day, everyone
wanted to be a part of this."
Berline received the
Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for his valorous actions
that day as an infantry team leader, directing his team
through combat operations while simultaneously performing
life saving measures.
Keeping with military
tradition and following in his grandfather's footsteps,
Dominey also received the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device
for saving the lives of multiple Coalition Force Soldiers
during a direct and decisive engagement with an insider
threat on Super FOB.
On June 8, 2013, Dominey
stepped outside the wire for the first time, attending a
meeting on the ANA side of Super FOB when he noticed
something was not quite right.
"I noticed an Afghan
soldier who was acting odd but, this was my first time out
and I didn't really know what to do," said Dominey."It
wasn't until he fired at us that I truly understood the
gravity of the situation."
Engaging the enemy first
was Dominey, who shot at the assailant multiple times, but
the fight was not over.
"I linked up with Staff Sgt.
Hart and we went to see if the threat was neutralized," said
Dominey.
The threat was not neutralized and he
continuously attempted to engage U.S. soldiers.
"We
ended up re-engaging the enemy two more times before he
stopped fighting back," said Dominey.
"I really think
this will make my grandmother very proud," said Dominey. "My
grandfather served in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam and
had received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions; I just
don't remember which war it was."
U.S. Army Maj. Gen.
James C. McConville, commanding general, Combined Joint Task
Force - 101 and Regional Command East, presented the Bronze
Star Medal with “V” device to both Soldiers during an awards
ceremony, Sept. 18, 2013.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Mark A. Moore II
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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