Loading ...Combat Engineer Earns Bronze Star Medal
Staff Sgt. James Jenkins was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions in saving the life of a fellow combat engineer following an improvised explosive device strike.
While conducting a route clearance mission on a particularly dangerous road in central Iraq on Nov. 22, 2008, the lead vehicle was struck by an IED. Staff Sgt. James Jenkins, of Georgetown, South Carolina and deployed to Iraq out of Bamberg, Germany, was in the lead vehicle.
As a result of the explosion, the vehicle commander was seriously injured by a piece of shrapnel in his left leg. Four other Soldiers sustained minor injuries, including Staff Sgt. Jenkins.
Immediately following the explosion, the Soldiers were administering first aid when Staff Sgt. Jenkins noticed the leg of the vehicle commander was bleeding. With assistance from the rest of the crew, Staff Sgt. Jenkins quickly applied a tourniquet to the injured leg and stopped the bleeding.
After the attack, Lt. Col. Christopher Lestochi, the commander of the 54th Engineer Battalion, went to visit the injured Soldier in the 86th Combat Surgical Hospital. While there, Lt. Col. Lestochi was informed by doctors that “whoever applied the tourniquet saved the Soldier’s life.” The skilled doctors at the hospital were able the remove the tourniquet and as a result, saved the Soldier’s leg.
Recognizing the heroism of Staff Sgt. Jenkins, Lt. Gen. Kenneth W. Hunzeker, commander of the U.S. Army V Corps, awarded him the Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals while visiting Iraq immediately following the attack. Gen. Hunzeker, along with Lt. Col. Lestochi, pinned the medals on Staff Sgt. Jenkins in a ceremony in front of his platoon. The Soldier injured in the explosion is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the cool head and quick response of a fellow combat engineer.
More from this category
- ISAF Forces Injured While Conducting Search Operations
- Marines end wing-level operations in Iraq
- Operational Update, Nov. 6: Afghan-International Security Force Detains Taliban Facilitator in Kandahar; ISAF Casualties
- Iraqi Security Forces arrest five suspected terrorists
More from this author
- Fort Hood shooting reveals shortcomings of institutionalized political correctness
- Introspection, Not Rationalization, Needed in Wake of Fort Hood Slaughter
- Zelaya Aide Says Honduran Agreement Has Failed
- Thailand-Cambodia Tensions Rise Over Appointment of Fugitive Thai Official
Subscribe to this author
SSG Jenkins is in the 370th EN CO (SAPPER). He is on his 3rd Combat tour and his actions reflect his commitment to everything he does. As the First Sergeant, I am blessed to have so many studs like him who have grown up in combat.
The Interesting story with in this story is: SSG Jenkins wasn’t in the unit of the vehicle that got hit with the IED. That unit was a Combat Engineer Platoon from Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. attached to the 370th (out of Bamberg Germany). He was chosen to take them down a route that was new to that unit. The interesting part is three out of the four Soldiers in that vehicle were with us (TF Dagger) in Ramadi Iraq (05-06) and SSG Jenkins saved the life of a Soldier, SPC Owens, who was in the same company just a couple years ago. I am sure SPC Owens had the utmost confidence in SSG Jenkins, someone with whom he had chewed the same mud.
It’s a small world for the Sappers who do Route Clearance. They share much respect for each other knowing what it takes to go out night after night to seek out what other do their best to avoid. They all say they are the best and have found more or been blown up more than the other guy. I am in awe of their courage as they set out with such enthusiasm to do what they do. They are heroes whose numbers of lives they have saved is incalculable and often goes unseen. I commend each and every one of them Active Duty, Guard, and reserve.
1SG Biggerstaff
370th EN CO (SAPPER)
Camp Stryker, Iraq
We are so proud of our son. He is a hero in our eyes. We are so glad that the other soldiers are fine and we really hope that this war will be over soon and they can all come home safe and sound. We love you Travis and for all the other soldiers out there THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR US. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL.
We are so proud of Travis and of all of the men and women who do what they do to keep us safe. My hope for all of the military members is “God Speed” in getting home to your families safe and sound.