Good afternoon,
We finally have the honorees for this year's Gala. They are:
Navy:
Honoree: Hospital Corpsman Matthew S Pukey
Current Duty Station: Weapons Company, 2d Battalion 9th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. Hospital Corpsman Second Class Matthew Pukey has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and technical proficiency in his treatment of combat injuries.
While serving as a corpsman with 1st Platoon, India Company, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, HM2 Pukey's calm, yet swift reactions effectively saved the lives of two severely wounded Marines.
HM2 Pukey did not, however, limit himself to treating only Marines. While operating from Patrol Base 288, in the village of Gameshai, HM2 Pukey treated several local nationals, two of whom were severely wounded. In February 2011, during a period of heavy rain, a local national brought an elder to the patrol base after his mud and thatch roof collapsed, breaking his neck. HM2 Pukey used Advanced Cardiac Life Support, a treatment usually only performed by medical doctors, in an attempt to save the elder's life. Despite his best efforts, the elder passed away from his injuries.
HM2 Pukey's attempts to save the local man were, however, observed by three other villagers and the story quickly spread. The day after HM2 Pukey's actions, there was a tangible positive shift in the relationship between the Marines and the villagers. Previously hostile to the presence of Marines in their village, villagers began to approach PB 288 in search of medical treatment. On February 12, 2011, a local teenager, suffering from a dog bite which had resulted in significant blood loss, arrived at the Patrol Base. HM2 Pukey stopped the bleeding using direct pressure and then Marines escorted him back home. Thanks to HM2 Pukey's selfless care, the Marines were provided access to a local family who were previously unwilling to talk with them.
While conducting a foot patrol on March 7, 2011, HM2 Pukey's element was following an adjacent squad as they searched an abandoned local village. As the squad in front of him moved through a choke point, a Marine stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), suffering the amputation of one leg below the knee and the amputation to the hip of the other. Despite the risk of secondary devices, HM2 Pukey ran forward to provide assistance. HM2 Pukey quickly assessed that the patient's right leg was amputated too high to apply a tourniquet and that there was substantial damage to the Marine's hip. Directing another Marine to tourniquet the left leg, HM2 Pukey tried to locate the femoral artery by putting his hand into the wound. Unable to find it, he began stuffing gauze where the artery should have been. He, then, ordered another Marine to apply direct pressure to the leg as he probed for further bleeding. Calmly and methodically checking for other injuries, he quickly realized the Marine had a fractured pelvis so HM2 Pukey immediately tightened the Marine's web belt to provide direct pressure to the arteries in the pelvic area. Due to the loss of almost 2000ml of blood, HM2 Pukey inserted an intraosseous device into the Marine's sternum, causing the patient to regain consciousness. HM2 Pukey administrated a shot of morphine and prepared his patient for evacuation. Talking with him to keep him conscious, HM2 Pukey carefully bandaged the Marine's legs. As the helicopter landed, HM2 Pukey took charge of the situation, organizing six Marines to carry the patient to the helicopter. He then returned to the IED strike and began to sanitize the area. Due to the severity of his injuries, the doctors at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan were astounded that the Marine survived. They stated that, had the corpsman been any less capable, the Marine would have died before reaching the hospital.
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Matthew S Pukey's steadfastness and devotion to duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service, reflecting the core values of the Navy: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Coast Guard:
Honoree: Boatswain's Mate Second Class Adam F. Preiser
Current Duty Station: Station Hatteras Inlet. Boatswain's Mate Second Class Adam Preiser epitomizes the motto of the United States Coast Guard: Always Ready.
BM2 Preiser's extraordinary efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene resulted in his being named "Enlisted Person of the Year" by Coast Guard Sector North Carolina (EPOY).
On Saturday, August 27, 2011, Hurricane Irene, with sustained winds of 85 mph, made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina at about 7:30 a.m.
On September 2, BM2 Preiser returned to Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet from the safe haven of the mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Irene. He immediately began assisting Station crews who were volunteering their time to provide aid to community members in the hardest hit areas of Hatteras Island. BM2 Preiser spent the next seven days – at least ten hours a day – assisting the citizens of Avon, Waves, Salvo and Rodanthe.
BM2 Preiser worked at 9-10 homes each day, discarding wet carpeting and carrying damaged appliances and moldy furniture out of flooded homes. He helped remove debris, including trees, boats, and jet skis, as well as tons of sea grass, from yards and garages. He removed underpinnings and wet insulation from underneath houses before mold and mildew could set in and cause further damage. The heat, humidity and mosquitoes made the work hot and miserable, yet it was critically important to those families who were trying to salvage what they could from their damaged or destroyed homes.
After 7 days straight of volunteer work, Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet transitioned back to its normal routine. BM2 Preiser, however, continued his volunteer effort with the Salvo Fire Department, diligently working every off-day until September 16th, when FEMA took over clean-up duties.
After September 16th, BM2 Preiser steadfastly continued to volunteer, this time at the Tri-Village Free Market (Waves, Salvo, and Rodanthe). This market was a drop-off and distribution point for items donated to help people recover or replace possessions destroyed by the hurricane. He worked at least 5 hours every off-duty period helping the Free Market get badly needed items to those that lost everything in the storm.
Irene was the nation's sixth costliest hurricane and made landfall less than 60 miles from Hatteras, NC. Petty Officer Preiser's efforts in support of a community battered by the storm exemplify the Coast Guard's core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.
NC National Guard:
Honoree: Technical Sergeant Joseph F. Hall
Current Duty Station: 145 Airlift Wing, NCANG, 118th Air Support Operations Squadron. Technical Sergeant Joseph F Hall was awarded the Bronze Star, in December 2011, for his exceptional meritorious service to the United States as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Paktya Province, Afghanistan.
TSgt Hall exceeded the expectations of his primary duties and responsibilities by personally participating in over 40 combat patrols and by providing Close Air Support with Lethal and Non-Lethal fires from fighter aircraft.
During a five month period, TSgt Hall submitted over 200 air strike requests with a 70% approval rate. He also controlled over 100 hours of aircraft, including Fixed-Wing, Rotor-Wing, Unmanned Aerial Surveillance, and Electronic warfare, covering 2600 square miles in Paktya Province.
In the summer of 2011, while serving as the Joint Terminal Attack Controller for Team Lokota in Zormat District, Paktya Province, TSgt Hall controlled both F-16s and an F-15 during several attacks on insurgent IED emplacers.
In August of 2011, his patrol suffered an insurgent attack that left 1 killed and 1 wounded in action. TSgt Hall helped repel the attack and called in aircraft to support the mission. While awaiting the aircraft, TSgt Hall assisted the medic by attending to multiple gunshot wounds and helping to medically evacuate injured service member.
After a fatal insurgent attack on his patrol, in September 2011, TSgt Hall coordinated a flight of F-15s, an Air Weapons Team, and an MC-12 aircraft, providing the on-scene commander with full situational awareness. His actions facilitated the recovery of three US soldiers who were killed action and allowed the successful medical evacuation of three others who were wounded. TSgt Hall then coordinated F-16 Fighter jets to create a "show of force," which prevented insurgents from re-attacking.
TSgt Hall's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon him, Headquarters, and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 279th Infantry (Task Force Creek), the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Task Force Duke), the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Air Force.
Marines:
Honoree: Staff Sergeant Bernard J Coyne
Current Duty Station: USMC/Headquarters and Headquarters Support Squadron, MCAS Cherry Point, NC. Staff Sergeant Bernard J Coyne has distinguished himself as a selfless warrior in the truest sense of the word.
Hand-selected to be part of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, in service for the President of the United States, SSgt Coyne also volunteered, without hesitation, to become an Explosive Ordnance Technician/Team Leader.
Deployed to Afghanistan from April 9 through April 15, 2011, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, SSgt Coyne served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader. Throughout multiple combat operations and often under direct enemy assault, SSgt Coyne's outstanding courage and initiative directly contributed to the success of over 100 combat missions, including the rendering safe and destruction of 28 Improvised Explosive Devices, the interrogation, collection and destruction of three enemy caches, the execution of ten post blast investigations, and the disposal of over 1500 pounds of unexploded ordnance and captured enemy ammunition. As the team leader for an independently operating element, absent of direct day-to-day supervision, SSgt Coyne displayed incredible maturity and leadership on a regular basis.
While the sacrifices, dedication, honor, courage, and commitment exhibited by SSgt Coyne over the past year are truly remarkable, his heroic actions on September 12, represent both the skill and the leadership that has been evident throughout his entire career.
On September 12, 2011, while responding to a dismounted combat patrol that had discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in an area known to be an enemy stronghold, SSgt Coyne boldly moved, on foot, into the kill zone, in order to disarm the threat.
Over the course of six hours, as SSgt Coyne performed hands-on render safe procedures, he was able to locate an additional nine explosive devices, spaced only a few feet apart within a 50-meter area. Operating in broad daylight, he moved on his hands and knees, across open ground in order to access and disarm each deadly device.
Despite the threat of attack by enemy forces that were discovered to be maneuvering on his position, SSgt Coyne continued to work, undeterred, within mere inches of each device in order to fully remove their killing potential. Showing unsurpassed valor while facing a determined enemy, he continued to persevere through the threat of death or serious bodily harm in order to remove numerous explosive threats from the battlefield. Without a doubt, SSgt Coyne is personally responsible for disrupting insurgent operations and saving the lives of countless individuals.
SSgt Coyne's zealous initiative, courageous action, and exceptional dedication to duty reflect great credit upon him and upholds the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Army:
Honoree: Staff Sergeant Alejandro Jauregui
Current Duty Station: 2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Staff Sgt. Jauregui was wounded in April and is a double amputee along with a right fingertip amputation, and shrapnel to the legs, arm and face from a dismounted IED. After going through his surgeries, he continues to remain positive by make sure to stop by a visit with the other 82nd Abn Div paratroopers that are receiving treatment at Walter Reed.
Air Force:
Honoree: Senior Airman Justin Beasley
No duty station info yet.
RonV has volunteered to build a rescue boat for the Coast Guard, and Ryan had mentioned a C-130 for the Air Nat Guard. I have a few kits in my stash that I have been holding onto for this that may work. I will bring them to Monday's dinner meeting. Maybe a DC3 for the 82nd soldier or an airborne figure...?
JonE
Jon, I want to donate a National Guard F-105G that I built. It can be used for the silent auction or wherever you think is appropriate. I will be bringing it to the Sept 10 dinner as I won't be able to attend the club meeting on the 16th.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/F-105G_1.jpg)
Lee K
Quote from: JonE on Thu 09/06/12 04:09 PM
Ryan had mentioned a C-130 for the Air Nat Guard.
I think Tony is build this one.
That's some list of honorees!! I'll have the Coast Guard Boat done by the end of Sept.
RonV
Thanks Lee, beautiful build as usual. I will be at dinner Monday night.
JonE
Amazing examples of courage.