 |
Brothers Earn Combat Decorations
(February 4, 2011) |
 |
|
|
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (February 1, 2011) – Two
brothers in the 101st Airborne Division were decorated for
two separate combat actions during their deployment to
Afghanistan.
|
One received a Silver Star Medal in
December for actions during a five-day fire fight in Kunar
province. The other received a Purple Heart in January after
a fire fight at Forward Operating Base Andar.
U.S. Army Cpl. Joshua Busch, 3rd platoon, Company D, 1st
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
was on a mission in November when his platoon was attacked
by insurgents.
“We got hit pretty hard,” said Josh,
the younger brother. “By the end of the first night, I was
the highest-ranking soldier in the platoon as a corporal, so
I took charge as the platoon sergeant.”
By the end of
the fight, his platoon of 22 was down to nine uninjured
soldiers. He was decorated Dec. 7 for his heroic actions
during that battle. |
|
U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Busch, Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, (left) poses with his brother, U.S. Army Cpl. Josh Busch, 3rd platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. Both soldiers are from Seymour, Wis.
(Courtesy photo - 2/1/2011) |
|
U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Busch,
Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, was awarded for his actions about a
month later.
“The enemy was hiding in a basement in a
qalat. Two Afghan National Policemen were going to go in,
and I was to follow,” Jason said. “They kicked down the door
and as soon as they started to enter they both got shot and
fell down. I looked in and saw the enemy about 10 feet away.
We both started firing at each other at the same time. I got
hit as I was getting down into a prone position.”
Jason kept firing even after he was shot.
“Right away
I started coughing up blood and could barely breathe. I
shouted for a medic but they couldn't help me since the
insurgent was in the room in front of me. When I realized
they couldn't get to me, I somehow stood up, stumbled over
to the medic and collapsed. Doc slowing my breathing saved
my life. I was medically evacuated about 10 to 15 minutes
later.”
The soldiers, who are from Seymour, Wis., are
proud of each other and what they had to go through.
“When my brother got decorated I felt a lot of pride for
him, but I also felt a lot of sadness for what he had to go
through to get that medal,” said Jason. “I wish that I could
have been there instead.”
Though both were supposed
to get out of the Army, they each decided to stay with their
platoon for this deployment. Josh extended and Jason
reenlisted for two more years.
“I actually reenlisted
for four more years less than a week before I got shot,”
Jason said. “I'm going to stay in and possibly pursue a
career as a flight warrant officer.”
Josh said he and
his brother have always been close.
“My brother
joined when I was in high school,” he said. “I think he
joined because he knew I was going to and didn't want me to
go through it alone.”
When Josh got to basic
training, the drill sergeants asked if anyone had siblings
in the Army. Josh said yes and was given the chance to be
station at Fort Campbell, Ky., with his brother, though they
are in different brigades.
Josh will soon finish his
deployment while Jason is currently recovering in the United
States.
“It's got to be tough on our parents having
two kids deployed at the same time,” Josh said. “Our mom is
a worrier and she tries to find out anything she can about
what we are doing out here. We try not to tell them too much
about what goes on out here to keep them from worrying
more.” |
By Army Sgt. Scott Davis
International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article |
|
