Silver Star Recipient
David Hutchinson |
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On June 6, 2009, the
65th anniversary of
D-Day, SPC David
Hutchinson became only
the fifth Army Reserve
Soldier to receive the
Silver Star. While
deployed in Afghanistan,
he was instrumental in
saving the lives of 16
fellow Soldiers.
It was the morning of
May 21, 2008; the
weather was eighty-nine
degrees with unlimited
visibility.
The 420th Engineer
Brigade Personal
Security Detail unit
consisted of 17 Army
Reservists traveling in
a four-vehicle convoy
southeast on an ASR jeep
headed towards Forward
Operating Base Orgun-E.
Then-Private First Class
David Hutchinson was
serving as a MK19 gunner
in the third gun truck
when suddenly they were
ambushed by determined
Anti-Afghan Forces (AAF).
Approximately 15-20 AAF
opened fire with an
arsenal of rocket
propelled grenades, PKM
machine guns, and
AK-47s. Hutchinson's
unit was also being
attacked by sniper
rifles hidden in the
surrounding Afghanistan
mountains approximately
50 to 70 meters away.
The AAF fighters were
bold in their efforts to
destroy the convoy by
attempting to disable
the lead and trail gun
trucks with RPGs.
Three of the four trucks
immediately engaged in
combat returning
suppressive fire. Being
the aggressors, the AAF
moved from cover into
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the open to engage the
gun trucks under
devastating fire
provided by Hutchinson
and his fellow soldiers. |
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The AAF
had fire superiority until Hutchinson
quickly assessed the PKM machine gun
nest on top of a hill. This position was
most lethal to Hutchinson and his fellow
soldiers in the convoy. His fire was so
effective in disrupting the AAF's
efforts to destroy the convoy that they
began focusing their wrath specifically
on him and his MK19.
Hutchinson stayed in his position under
intense fire, placing accurate effective
fire on the remaining enemies with total
disregard for his own life.
Members of his unit later counted well
over 100 bullet strikes on his turret.
Hutchinson expended an entire ammo can
destroying a fixed machine gun position
and killing no less than five enemy
insurgents before he was seriously
wounded by a RPG that entered the crew
compartment of his M1151 High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.
Shrapnel from the RPG hit his right leg
and caused him to collapse from his
gunner position into the crew
compartment.
After collapsing from his wounds,
Hutchinson observed that his First
Sergeant was severely injured with
gaping shrapnel wounds to the face and
head. With total disregard for his own
serious injuries and his right leg going
numb, he calmly administered first aid
to his First Sergeant. His actions
controlled the bleeding as the convoy
proceeded out of the engagement area.
When the MEDEVAC arrived, despite his
own serious wounds, Hutchinson refused
to be carried on a litter so that others
could carry the wounded First Sergeant.
This act freed other soldiers to provide
security and reduced the time the
MEDEVAC spent on the ground.
Hutchinson was medically evacuated out
of Afghanistan with a serious leg injury
after being in theater only a week.
His actions contributed to the safety of
16 soldiers and showed extraordinary
courage, loyalty and selfless-service
under fire beyond expectation. |
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Information and photo
and courtesy of US Army / DoD |
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Read article
about David Hutchinson recalling ambush that
earned him the Silver Star |
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