Silver Star Recipient
Aaron Davis |
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When Army Specialist
Aaron Davis found out he
was receiving the Silver
Star for his outstanding
bravery on the
battlefield, he tried to
turn it down.
“I felt like I didn't
want all the attention
because I didn't do
anything for attention,”
said Davis.
Davis, who was assigned
to the 2nd Battalion,
503rd Infantry, 173
Airborne Brigade Combat
Team, was serving as an
infantryman during his
deployment in
Afghanistan.
On July 13, 2008, Davis
and his unit were
attacked by 200 or more
Taliban fighters while
they were patrolling an
area. During the ensuing
firefight, Davis was hit
with shrapnel to his
right leg from a
rock-propelled grenade.
Although injured, Davis
remained focused on the
battlefield and provided
critical assistance to
three severely injured
soldiers until the
arrival of a medical
evacuation team.
“I wanted to help those
who had more severe
injuries than I did,”
said Davis.
When he returned from
the evacuation
helicopter, Davis was
hit again. This time,
the shrapnel impacted
his body, arms and face.
“Blood
was everywhere, I couldn't see, I was
hurting everywhere. I didn't want to
leave the premises or leave my comrades,
but this time I had no choice,” Davis
continued. |
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After his second injury, Davis was
evacuated from the battlefield for
treatment and was soon transferred to a
hospital in Germany. Davis went on to
receive more treatment in Washington,
D.C., followed by further rehabilitation
in San Antonio, Texas.
“Although it is hard to think about what
happened in the battlefield, I am glad I
was there to help my comrades,” said
Davis.
For his heroic actions, commitment to
his fellow soldiers and unflinching
bravery under fire, Davis was recently
awarded the Silver Star and the Purple
Heart by Brig. Gen. James Gilman,
Commander, Great Plains Regional Medical
Command and Brooke Army Medical Center.
Davlyn Davis, mother of Davis,
emphasized the ceremony was not only
about her son but also for the ones that
didn't make it.
“They are the true heroes; I'm proud to
be a mom of a Soldier. Everyone involved
in this journey took extraordinary
measures to ensure my son and my family
was in good hands,” added Mrs. Davis.
Davis has continued to receive
treatment, but has lost about 50 percent
of his vision in his right eye. He hopes
that when he makes full recovery he can
return to be a squad leader with the
Warrior Transition Unit.
Undeterred by his injuries, Davis has
also been studying for a promotion to
sergeant and will soon go before a
promotion board.
Excerpts from article by Maria Gallegos,
April 3, 2009. |
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Information and photo
and courtesy of US Army / DoD |
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Silver Star Recipients |
Other Heroes | |
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