Silver Stars

Did you hear about this on CNN, MSNBC or even FOX News? Was it in the New York Times, The Washington Post or Wall Street Journal? No, probably not. I Googled it as Patriot over at A Soldier’s Perspective did and I couldn’t find mention of any of the three men or the awarding of the Silver Star to any of them in any of the major media outlets. So, here is the good news, the story, the excellence of our military!

Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Holmes was just starting his reconnaissance of a village in southern Afghanistan last year when he was met by a barrage of rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire.

Holmes and his Special Forces teammates scrambled to the top of a hill overlooking the village and took cover just as 20 rocket propelled grenades exploded around them.

The battle raged for 14 hours.

In the end, Holmes — a medical sergeant — and Master Sgt. Keith Logsdon — his team sergeant — would earn the Silver Star for their actions.

Both men received the medal Tuesday during a ceremony at Meadows Field on Fort Bragg.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Keefe received the medal for a separate battle. He did not talk to the media.

The Silver Star is the Army’s third-highest award for valor in combat.

Twenty-eight other soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group received Bronze Star Medals for valor, Purple Hearts and Army Commendation Medals for valor.

The awards were for actions during the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan last year.

“These are warriors in every since of the word. On this day, they remind us why we are so proud to be Americans,” said Col. Christopher Haas, the 3rd Special Forces Group commander.

Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Csrnko, commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, presided over the ceremony and presented the awards.

“Every man on this field is a hero. Because of these men, our freedoms and way of life remain secure,” Csrnko said.
Fayetteville Observer (NC) Online