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View Full Version : U.S. Christopher Waiters Distinguished Service Cross Army Iraq



bobdina
07-29-2009, 04:30 PM
Christopher Waiters

* Home of record: Lacy, Wash.
*

Awards and Citations

1.
Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Christopher B. Waiters, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-North, on 5 April 2007. Specialist Waiters distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During a clearance mission, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device and began to burn with its occupants inside. Specialist Waiters, the company's senior medic, quickly parked his Medical Evaluation Stryker in a security position and engaged two armed enemy personnel. He then dismounted alone from his vehicle and ran 80 meters through fierce small arms fire towards the flaming Bradley. Specialist Waiters then pulled out the driver and the vehicle commander, treated both, and safeguarded the casualties back to his Stryker for further treatment. At this point, Specialist Waiters learned that another Soldier was trapped inside the Bradley. Without hesitation, he sprinted back and climbed into the troop compartment. While inside, the Bradley's 25-mm. ammunition began exploding, forcing his exit. Again, he re-entered the vehicle and found a deceased American Soldier. He sprinted back to his Stryker to secure a body bag. Upon his return, another medic had taken charge of the scene, allowing Specialist Waiters to evacuate the two casualties in his Stryker. Specialist Waiters' personal courage, uncommon valor and selfless service directly contributed to the safety and evacuation of two wounded and the recovery of one fallen Soldier. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the 20th Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Division-North, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Specialist Christopher B. Waiters, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as a Senior Medic, Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, Baqubah, Iraq, on 5 April 2007 during clearance operation in Old Baqubah. On the morning of 5 April 2007, Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry responded to a Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) that was struck by a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). The BFV, which was attached to Attack Company for a clearance mission, immediately began to burn with its occupants still inside. Specialist Waiters, the Attack Company senior medic, was traveling in a Medical Evacuation Stryker (MEV) and responded to the distressed Bradley Crew. Immediately upon arrival at the scene, the MEV immediately began to take small arms fire (SAF) from multiple directions. Specialist Waiters quickly placed his vehicle in a security position on the perimeter and hastily engaged two armed enemy personnel as they attempted to flee south from his location. Without hesitation, Specialist Waiters dismounted alone from his vehicle with his aid bag and ran approximately 80 meters through intense enemy small arms fire toward the BFV which at this time was burning heavily and on the verge of becoming fully engulfed in flames. Specialist Waiters speedily jumped onto the Bradley and proceeded to pull out both the Driver and Vehicle Commander who were suffering from severe respiratory complications due to smoke inhalation. Specialist Waiters treated them on the scene for any life threatening injuries or wounds and safeguarded the casualties back to the MEV for further treatment by the MEV NCO. Specialist Waiters quickly learned from his patients that an additional Soldier was trapped in the vehicle. While other Soldiers were attempting to extinguish the fire, Specialist Waiters once again ran back to the BFV and climbed onto it but due to the flames, could not enter the vehicle from the top. He then hastily jumped down from the vehicle and attempted to enter from the back. Specialist Waiters climbed into the troop compartment of the Bradley and attempted to locate the trapped Soldier. While inside, 25-mm. ammunition began cooking off forcing a hasty egress by Specialist Waiters. Yet again, he courageously reentered the vehicle and immediately, Specialist Waiters found the remains of the now deceased American Soldier. Specialist Waiters then climbed from the BFV, ran back to the MEV and secured a body bag. Upon his return to the scene, another medic had taken charge which allowed Specialist Waiters to evacuate the two casualties in his MEV back to FOB Gabe. Specialist Waiters' personal courage, uncommon valor, and selfless service contributed directly to the safety and evacuation of two wounded and the recovery of one fallen Soldier. Specialist Waiters without regard to his personnel safety courageously risked his life under enemy fire to save the lives of his fellow Solders. His actions reflect distinct credit upon him, Attack Company, the Sykes' Regulars, the Arrowhead Stryker Brigade, MND-North, and the United States Army.

Service: Army

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Cruelbreed
07-29-2009, 04:32 PM
That's rare, pics of the deed. Hopefully he can enlarge them in higher detail, show the family maybe :)