USO honors servicemembers for heroism

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Sara Wood
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The United Service Organizations celebrated its 65th anniversary Sept. 28 and honored troops from each branch of the military for heroism.

"We are thankful that we are defended by men and women of character and courage, and we are grateful to all the USO volunteers to work to entertain them," President George W. Bush said in a video message. "They lift their spirits and express the gratitude and support of the American people."

The five servicemembers who received USO Servicemember of the Year awards at the gala represent the highest ideals of courage and patriotism, and have demonstrated extraordinary loyalty, bravery and heroism, President Bush said.

Honored were:
 
Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Upton of the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Sergeant Upton was a member of a team that identified and disabled improvised explosive devices in Iraq, helping to secure areas for coalition and Iraqi army forces.

During an operation to secure a main supply route, an IED detonated, rupturing Sergeant Upton's eardrums and giving him a concussion. Despite his injuries, he rushed to the aid of his teammate, who had suffered a traumatic limb amputation. Sergeant Upton improvised a tourniquet and began treating the other injuries.

On the deployment, Sergeant Upton led more than 50 missions to identify and disable IEDs, and led the destruction of more than 4,000 pieces of ordnance. 

Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester of the Kentucky National Guard. Sergeant Hester served as a team leader with the 617th Military Police Company at Camp Liberty, Iraq. On March 20, 2005, Sergeant Hester was in one of three escort vehicles providing security for a convoy when the convoy was ambushed by insurgents.

Despite being outnumbered five to one and coming under heavy fire, Sergeant Hester led her soldiers on a counterattack, maneuvering her team into a flanking position and clearing trenches occupied by the insurgents. She is the first woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star for combat action.

Marine Cpl. Robert Snyder of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Snyder was a fire team leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a sweep of a compound in western Anbar province, Corporal Snyder's platoon encountered heavy machine gun fire.

Learning that his squad leader was wounded, Corporal Snyder took charge, pulled one Marine to safety and ordered the squad to remove the remaining injured Marines. The corporal then used his own suppressive fire to rescue a Marine trapped inside the compound. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device for his actions. 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Leoncio of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif. As a hospital corpsman deployed to Iraq, Petty Officer Leoncio was in a patrol stuck by an IED. The IED caused his Humvee to overturn, traumatically amputating his lower right leg and causing other serious fractures and internal injuries.

Despite his injuries, Petty Officer Leoncio began giving instructions on how to care for himself and the other injured Marines and personally rendered life-saving medical care to other Marines, including his platoon commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device for his valor. 

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitchell Latta. Petty Officer Latta was an aviation survival technician involved in day and night rescue operations during Hurricane Katrina.

While in a helicopter battling 40-knot winds, Petty Officer Latta dropped to a rooftop where 10 survivors were gathered inches above rising flood waters. One was an amputee suffering from diabetic shock. Petty Officer Latta rescued a stroke victim trapped in her attic and submerged himself in toxic flood waters to save a woman whose legs were tangled in a garden hose. Over the five days of rescue operations, he saved the lives of 181 people.
 
At the gala, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the stories of the five servicemember honorees and other troops like them bring tears to his eyes and make his job a privilege. Sept. 29 is the one-year anniversary of General Pace's assumption of the chairman position, and he said he is proud of the past year and ready for the future.

"I have no idea what this next year has in store, but I do know this: there are 2.4 million young men and women -- active, Guard and Reserve -- just like the five young men and women who are standing before you tonight, who have pledged their lives if necessary to defend this country," he said.

"And therefore, it is not a burden for me to go do my job," General Pace said. "It's an honor; I'm fired up, and I'm proud to serve alongside them."

General Pace also thanked the volunteers and celebrities who work with the USO, bringing a piece of home to U.S. troops serving overseas.

"You have no idea how you touch our hearts and how just hearing your voice or seeing your smile or knowing that you too are in 120 degree heat -- what a huge difference that makes to everybody serving overseas," he said.