Release #032907-01
Members of the 173rd Infantry Detachment (Long-Range Surveillance) Earn Awards for Service in Iraq from January 2005 through November 2005
CRANSTON, RI – Major General Robert T. Bray, Adjutant General of Rhode Island and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, announced here today that five members of the Rhode Island Army National Guard will be presented with Bronze Star Medals earned during their deployment to Iraq in 2005.
Staff Sergeant Thomas O’Hare, Staff Sergeant David Raymond, Staff Sergeant John Shimkus, Staff Sergeant Justin Hunt and Sergeant Robert Carrigg will receive their awards Saturday at the Quonset Officer Club, North Kingstown, R.I. All five are members of the 173rd Infantry Detachment (LRS).
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of the military who, while serving in or with the military, distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. It is the fourth highest U.S. military award when presented for bravery, as distinguished by the presentation of a V (valor) device, and the ninth highest military award when presented for meritorious service.
“The recognition of these soldiers by the U.S. Army, through the presentation of Bronze Star Medals, continues to validate the Rhode Island National Guard’s training, readiness, “performance, and morale in combat.” stated MG Bray. “The actions of these five indivduals, and the 173rd Infantry Detachment Long Range Surveillance in total, during their deployment, reflects great credit upon the Rhode Island National Guard and the state of Rhode Island. Our citizens can be very proud of their National Guard.” concluded Bray.
* SSG Thomas O’Hare resides in New York state and is a New York City police officer. He earned his award for, among other accomplishments, imparting his specialized knowledge of counter-improvised explosive device training gained during a previous deployment to Afghanistan. Additionally, SSG O’Hare personally led over 40 long range surveillance missions lasting in duration from 48-72 hours including missions where temperatures topped 140 degrees farenheit. He is now a member of the RI National Guard Special Operations Detachment-Global.
* SSG David Raymond is a Wrentham, Mass., native and employed full-time by the R.I. National Guard. While deployed, SSG Raymond also led over 40 long range surveillance missions in addition to participating in three task force generated operations. SSG Raymond and his team were also responsible for saving the lives of 2 Iraqi police officers whom they observed being fired upon by an element of Anti-Iraq Forces (IAF). SSG Raymond directed his team to engage the AIF element allowing the police officers to escape unharmed.
* SSG John “Jack” Shimkus, a Rhode Island resident and a correctional officer at the Adult Correctional Institute, was also recognized for having personally led over 40 long range surveillance missions, most of which were conducted autonomously of any other coalition forces. SSG Shimkus and his unit handled multiple intances of enemy contact and he never failed to return to base with all his men, weapons, and equipment. SSG Shimkus led a massive reconnaissance effort into the Thar Thar Lake region, an area which had not been previously visited by coalition forces.
* SSG Justin Hunt hails from New York state and is currently employed as an engineering contractor by the U.S. government. SSG Hunt became one of the unit’s key sniper assets while deployed. He also personally led over 40 long range surveillance missions. During one of those missions, SSG Hunt discovered Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF) attacking a coaltion convoy in a coordinated manner. His leadership and actions were subsequently directly responsible for the capture of the AIF element by friendly forces. He is now a member of the Maryland National Guard.
* SGT Robert Carrigg, a Lowell, Mass., native who resides in New Hampshire, is employed by Blackwater Security. He also personally led over 40 long range surveillance missions while deployed. Of special note, he and his team were responsible for the apprehension of a suspected cell of Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) Anti-Iraq Forces through the application of offensive terrain denial operations along a stretch of terrain which had previously been plagued with IED/VBIED incidents.
The awarding of these medals will bring the total number of Bronze Stars awarded to members of the 56 man 173rd Infantry Detachment (LRS) to 8. All 8 soldiers earned their awards during the 2005 deployment.
The event is closed to the general public. Media representatives should contact Lt Col Riel, at 275-4193, if they plan to attend.
