Army Rangers receive awards for combat deployment

[SR-25]

FORT BENNING, Ga. (USASOC News Service, Jan. 21, 2005) — More than 50 Rangers were recognized during a ceremony here yesterday for their actions during a recent deployment in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Rangers from 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment received awards including two Bronze Stars with Valor Devices, 39 Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and six Joint Commendation Medals presented by Lt. Col. John G. Castles, commander of 3rd Ranger Bn. Several Rangers also received Army Commendation Medals and Combat Infantryman’s Badges.

Between October 2004 and January 2005, the battalion conducted more than 140 direct action raids between missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan said Castles.

Sgt. 1st Class James K. Anderson, platoon sergeant, Company C, 3rd Ranger Battalion, was awarded the Bronze Star for his role in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, Anderson was crucial to mission success, serving as the platoon sergeant and senior non-commissioned officer for his team, according to his award citation.

Reflecting on earning the Bronze Star, Anderson described what earning the medal means to him about his leadership skills. “It lets me know that as a leader, I safely deployed all of my men to combat, led them through numerous combat operations, and brought every one of them back to their families.”

Anderson went on to explain that the medal is a small token for the excellence of not only himself, but for his platoon. “Receiving this award is a great honor, but I couldn’t do it without my men,” he said. “Because of them, we were successful in every operation we conducted.”

Capt. Roger A. Crombie, commander of Company C, echoed the citation on Anderson’s award. “Rangers honestly look up to Sgt. First Class Anderson. He is a great leader, Ranger, husband and soon-to-be father.”

Anderson, a native of Martinez, Calif., has spent his entire 11-year Army career with the Rangers. During his tenure, he deployed four times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and two times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the ceremony remarks, Castles took time to share a few thoughts with his Rangers and their guests. In addition to recognizing the service, mission success and sacrifices of the battalion, it was an opportunity for Castles to personally thank all of his Rangers, their families and those who support them.

Castles concluded his remarks with an important reminder about the missions the quiet professionals in the 75th Ranger Regiment conduct. Though deployments, homecomings and missions cannot always be publicized like some other units because of the nature of the Ranger job, “know that your service does not go unnoticed and is relied upon now more than ever.”

According to official definitions, the Bronze Star for valor is awarded for acts of heroism not involving participating in aerial flight, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. The Bronze Star for service is awarded for meritorious service or achievement, not involving participation in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service, while of lesser degree than that required for the award of Legion of Merit, must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. The Purple Heart, a specific combat decoration, is awarded to members of the armed services who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy.


http://www.soc.mil/News/releases/05JAN/050121-01.html