Profiles of Valor: Texas Army National Guard

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Four Apache helicopter pilots from Company B, 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment (Attack), 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), were providing air support for Marine and Iraqi soldiers in Ramadi as the ground forces searched for insurgents in the heavily populated town.

The pilots, 1st Lt. Matthew Salo, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Stacy, Chief Warrant Officer 4 William White, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marcus Moore, heard an IED explode over an open mike, followed by additional IEDs and a firestorm of insurgent fire. Because vital communication equipment had been destroyed by the IEDs, the Marines on the ground had no way of contacting their command post about the attack.

The Apache pilots became the ground forces' only means of communication. As the Marines began to evacuate the wounded, the pilots contacted the command post and drew fire away from the ground forces, even though they were unable to return fire because of the potential for civilian casualties.

Once the evacuation team removed the wounded, the Apaches went to refuel, only to find that their helicopters were severely damaged by gunfire. "We knew the mission was vital and we had to go back in," Salo said. The flight crews flew two more missions into the battle that raged for seven hours, all the while providing communication and air support under enemy fire. Eventually the Marines were able to evacuate under the cover of the Apaches, preventing countless casualties. For their part, the pilots were each awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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Dave

Again, HOOAH!!

Posted January 31, 2010 at 6:26:40 AM

Publius Huldah

Those 4 are true heroes! Compare the blame-shifting bantam rooster strutting around the white house with them!

Posted January 31, 2010 at 9:57:11 AM

Ruth Ann Wilson

Well Done, Veterans

God Bless You

You have done your duty to God & Country and God sees your sacrifice.

Thank God for our Wonderful Veterans

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Posted January 31, 2010 at 11:17:35 AM

James H Odom

THE EPITAME OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER. For the bravery, self-sacrifice, and the determination to save fellow soldiers by these four pilots, is not only heroic, but saintly. God Bless these heroes.

Posted February 1, 2010 at 11:41:15 AM

Winston Krieter

Hats off to these brave servicemen. They are to be praised for their discipline and determination. Personally, I don't think I could operate in war under such ridiculous ROE. When it comes down to our guys or the other guys, our guys come first. Perhaps if we acted like we were at war we would be done with these human vermin posing as religious zealots by now.

Posted February 2, 2010 at 6:41:04 AM

Bill Koeppe

Where does a country get such fine, brave men - from patriotic families!

Thank you men. Continue to be swift and violent.

Posted February 2, 2010 at 2:19:33 PM

Anton D Rehling

Take note you socialist pukes that violate our constitution with your socialist agenda. These are the men and women you all will face after you have gone to far.

Posted February 2, 2010 at 10:09:07 PM

Edwin J. Karlis

Iam a Nam Vet & will never forget what a Special Forces Col. told us. "For those who have fought for

it, Freedom has a taste the protected will never

know".Every Vet has taken the oath to defend the Constitution & that oath has never been recinded.

My point is that Freedom has to be fought for,

weather on the battlefield or at home.

God Bless America & Our Troops!

Posted February 3, 2010 at 8:57:49 AM

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