CommunityEditor
12-14-2009, 06:48 PM
FORT KNOX, Ky. — Sgt. Zachary Swelfer’s demeanor was calm and his reaction was modest when he was awarded the Silver Star at Fort Knox.
Swelfer, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received the award for his bravery and quick response in the line of fire during a tour of duty in Afghanistan that ended earlier this year.
The ceremony at the central Kentucky Army post last week was lined with soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, often called the Duke Brigade or “Big Red One,” to celebrate the occasion.
Swelfer, 27, of Merrillville, Ind., also was joined by members of his family, who expressed pride in his actions, but little surprise.
Swelfer’s father, Edward, said his son was raised to help others, but he never expected him to receive the Silver Star, which is the third-highest military award for valor.
Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy commanding general for Maneuver of the 1st Infantry Division, said the willingness of Swelfer to disregard his own welfare to save others has set a standard for all soldiers within the Duke Brigade.
During a patrol in the Afghanistan village of Zangabad, Swelfer and others were immersed in a close-range firefight with Taliban forces.
Realizing his men were under heavy fire, Swelfer directly engaged enemy forces with a rifle and grenade launcher, killing one and saving the life of Sgt. Aaron Barrett. His actions have been credited for helping the men move out of the fight.
Barrett said he is grateful to Swelfer for his quick thinking and happy Swelfer received the honor he’s due.
Swelfer said his actions were less about thinking and more about his natural instinct. His training kicked in, he said, and his only goal was to save his men.
“I’m just doing my duty,” he said.
And he said he is ready to serve the Army in whatever role they have for him, even if it means another close firefight.
“I would do it again,” he said.
Lt. Col. Alan Streeter, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, said the unit is in the process of rebuilding its forces. While the unit does not know what its orders will be as of yet, the Army has requested the unit be ready by the end of 2010, Streeter said.
Streeter said there are about 500 troops within the battalion right now. He said the unit is fortunate to have men like Swelfer to train incoming soldiers for combat.
“I don’t think you can say enough about Sgt. Swelfer and the courage it took to do what he did,” he said.
Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_swelfer_silver_star_121309/
Swelfer, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received the award for his bravery and quick response in the line of fire during a tour of duty in Afghanistan that ended earlier this year.
The ceremony at the central Kentucky Army post last week was lined with soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, often called the Duke Brigade or “Big Red One,” to celebrate the occasion.
Swelfer, 27, of Merrillville, Ind., also was joined by members of his family, who expressed pride in his actions, but little surprise.
Swelfer’s father, Edward, said his son was raised to help others, but he never expected him to receive the Silver Star, which is the third-highest military award for valor.
Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy commanding general for Maneuver of the 1st Infantry Division, said the willingness of Swelfer to disregard his own welfare to save others has set a standard for all soldiers within the Duke Brigade.
During a patrol in the Afghanistan village of Zangabad, Swelfer and others were immersed in a close-range firefight with Taliban forces.
Realizing his men were under heavy fire, Swelfer directly engaged enemy forces with a rifle and grenade launcher, killing one and saving the life of Sgt. Aaron Barrett. His actions have been credited for helping the men move out of the fight.
Barrett said he is grateful to Swelfer for his quick thinking and happy Swelfer received the honor he’s due.
Swelfer said his actions were less about thinking and more about his natural instinct. His training kicked in, he said, and his only goal was to save his men.
“I’m just doing my duty,” he said.
And he said he is ready to serve the Army in whatever role they have for him, even if it means another close firefight.
“I would do it again,” he said.
Lt. Col. Alan Streeter, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, said the unit is in the process of rebuilding its forces. While the unit does not know what its orders will be as of yet, the Army has requested the unit be ready by the end of 2010, Streeter said.
Streeter said there are about 500 troops within the battalion right now. He said the unit is fortunate to have men like Swelfer to train incoming soldiers for combat.
“I don’t think you can say enough about Sgt. Swelfer and the courage it took to do what he did,” he said.
Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_swelfer_silver_star_121309/