U.S. Stephen Sanford,Distinguished Service Cross , Iraq

[bobdina]

Distinguished Service Cross

The DSC is our Nation's second highest award for military valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross was established in 1918 to honor heroism of the highest degree that did not quite merit the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross (Navy, Marines & Coast Guard) and the Air Force Cross all join the DSC as our Nation's second highest military award.


Stephen Sanford

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Awards and Citations

1.

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 Private First Class Stephen C. Sanford, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172d Stryker Brigade Combat Team, on 19 November 2005, during combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Private Sanford displayed extraordinary courage during the evacuation of casualties from a home in Mosul, Iraq, while under intense enemy fire. Although shot through the leg during his squad's initial assault attempt, he accompanied his squad during their second assault. Once inside the house, he provided a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the casualties were evacuated. He continued to engage the enemy while escorting the wounded Soldiers from the house. He returned to the house a second time to provide vital covering fire and security for the final withdrawal of the casualties. When the last Soldier leaving the house was shot in the neck, Private Sanford, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved to the Soldier and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. While attempting to revive the other Soldier, he was shot twice more in the back. Protecting the fallen Soldier, Private Sanford returned fire and killed an insurgent while receiving two more potentially fatal gunshot wounds. He continued to return devastating fire on the enemy while helping his wounded comrade until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood. Private Sanford's gallant deed was truly above and beyond the call of duty and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, Charlie Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, the United States Army, and the United States of America.

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 3 (November 6, 2007)

[bobdina]

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to Army Pvt. Stephen C. Sanford of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, for displaying extraordinary courage during the evacuation of casualties from a home in Mosul while under intense enemy fire, according to Army officials.

Although shot in the leg during his squad's initial assault attempt, he still accompanied his squad during its second assault. Once inside the house, Sanford provided a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the casualties were evacuated. He continued to engage the enemy while escorting wounded soldiers from the house, according to the award citation.

Sanford returned to the house a second time to provide covering fire for the final withdrawal of casualties. When the last soldier leaving the house was shot in the neck, Sanford began performing CPR. Sanford was shot twice more in the back while trying to revive the other soldier. He returned fire and killed an insurgent while receiving two more potentially fatal gunshot wounds, the citation stated. He continued returning fire while helping his wounded comrade until he was incapacitated by his own loss of blood.

"I have had the distinct honor of participating in many award ceremonies," Pace told the audience of family, friends and fellow soldiers. "This is the first time I have ever had the honor of awarding a Distinguished Service Cross.

The chairman said each of the soldiers would probably say they don't think they deserve the awards. "If you asked them, they'd say they were doing their jobs," he said. "But if you asked their fellow soldiers, they'd say they went above and beyond the call of duty.

"The soldiers on the wall behind me know what you have done," Pace told the award recipients. "Your courage in combat made a difference. You deserve these awards."

When read in a citation, Pace said, words like "extraordinary heroism" and "gallantry in action" don't capture what really happened that day. "But you know what happened, and so do your fellow soldiers in the unit," he said.

"Thank you for doing what soldiers have always done in combat -- to serve, to serve well and to serve above and beyond what any of our fellow citizens would ask you to serve," he concluded.

[bobdina]

In late November, 2005, during an assault on a house in Mosul, Iraq, filled with terrorists, PFC Stephen Sanford of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, was hit in the leg. The house erupted in rifle fire and grenades. Soldiers were hit and dying on the first floor of the house.

Though wounded in the leg, Sanford charged back in with his team, laying down suppressive fire while his team mates evacuated the wounded.

On the second evacuation of wounded, Sanford again (bleeding) kept the terrorists at bay while the wounded were evac'd. While assisting the last wounded soldier out of the house, a terrorist shot the soldier assisting the wounded troop. The soldier dropped to the floor - shot through the neck.

Sanford ran back and began performing first aid, then CPR trying to keep the soldier alive.

Terrorists sensed Sanford's weak position and tried to gun him down. While performing CPR, he was shot twice in the back while trying to protect the wounded soldier with his body. Sanford then turned and fought back, killing one terrorist, but getting hit twice more.

Sanford continued fighting, trying to save his comrade, when the loss of blood was too much and he lost consciousness...

PFC Sanford has been medically retired and on February 26th, 2007

[nastyleg]

This is why I reenlisted. Kids like him give me hope for the future of the combat forces of America and her allies who contenually prove thier bravery and courage.