Sky Soldiers Honored for Actions
in Combat
Three Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts were presented to the
soldiers for actions taken and injuries sustained during Operation
Enduring Freedom VI. [
Read more ]
Article credit:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/Dec2005/a120105tj2.html
Another month has passed and the men of Chosen Company have once again
set the bar high for the Brigades combat units to follow. This month
we have taken on the challenge of assisting in the security for the
Parliamentary elections for the Afghanistan Government. With this
large task at hand there were 9 election sites which your soldiers
planned, resourced, and facilitated the ultimate success of voter
turn out due to the stable environment which they created in the local
areas. Their actions have been commended in a personal thank you note
form the Governor of Zabol province which encompasses all of the 2/503d’s
battle space. Complementing them on their through planning and vital
assistance in the deterrence of disruption efforts by the enemy for
the elections. The turn out was tremendously higher than any could
have predicted and the Battalion staff regarded your soldiers work
as a huge success story for the area. We have continued to improve
the country here. There have been several instances where the companies
efforts have not only saved lives but have bettered the way in which
this country is growing for the future. Your soldiers have been working
with the mid to upper levels of the Afghanistan Government to help
them establish systems that can truly work and better this country
for the future. Their actions are nothing short of heroic and are
always appreciated by the local population.
September 2005
The men of Chosen Company have been working very hard preparing
to support the Afghanistan Government during their upcoming elections.
There are several areas that we are going to assist the Government
of Afghanistan with and they are as always very appreciative of
the help we offer. While our role will be minimal we cannot discount
the enormous impact your sons, husbands, brothers, and friends will
have on the enemy in deterring them from negatively effecting the
elections. The company as a hole has made the adjustments to a new
commander and is performing (as they always have) tremendously well.
As the Commander of Chosen Company I will always try and keep our
families and friends informed about the progress, health, and plans
for the Chosen Few. There are undoubtedly several questions and
many of those may have been generated by a series of roomers that
have been going around about redeployment dates and upcoming deployments
upon our return. Let me assure our families and friends that we
will publish our return time as soon as it becomes available and
what ever the United States Army has in store for the Chosen Few
upon our return to home station we will be very well trained before
we embark on another mission. At this current time we are still
expected to return home on our normal deployment time line. If there
are any changes we will be sure to publish them through the Rear
Detachment and Family Readiness Groups back in Italy.
August 2005
I would like to take a brief moment and introduce myself to the
Chosen Family as one of it’s newest members. My name is CPT
Eric Gardner and on the 15th of July Chosen Company said good buy
to the Command team of the Ringgenberg’s and welcomed in (much
to my appreciation) my wife and I to the Chosen Family. My wife
Gretchen and I were overjoyed to be received so openly by the Rock
and Chosen Company. I know there is always some questions about
new leadership when they come in and now with this change occurring
in theater I am sorry that I cannot meet all the families personally
to tell them how truly fortunate I feel to come to such a wonderful
organization. I am an Army Brat so I cannot really claim a home
town. My Father served in the Army for 30 years and has finally
settled down into Retirement. Gretchen was born in Mississippi and
then moved to Virginia, so she claims Springfield VA as her home
town. Gretchen and I have been together for 5 wonderful years and
have been very fortunate with our assignments going first to FT.
Bragg, then FT Benning and finally here at Caserma Ederle. Gretchen
is currently serving at Bagram Air Base in Northern Afghanistan
with the SETAF HQ. She is an Officer in the AG CORPS, and is having
a wonderful time working with Distinguished Visitors coming into
country and telling the Chosen Story to all the big wigs that come
in. We haven’t had the opportunity to start a family due to
our Army’s operational tempo, but have truly enjoyed the free
time in Italy (as little as it is) to experience the European culture
for all it’s worth. We arrived in Italy in April 2003 and
were assigned to SETAF where Gretchen worked in the G-1 shop and
I worked in the command group. We were fortunate to find quarters
out on the economy in a small town named San Georgio In Bosco. Gretchen
has made our house truly look welcoming and we (after a few years)
can finally say that we are settled in. I can truly say that we
have waited anxiously to get to the 173rd and become a part of the
family. We are very proud and honored to call Chosen our home and
know that we have been so blessed to come into such a welcoming
and truly gifted group of patriots.
Chosen Few Continue to Eliminate
Taliban
On 21 June 2005, Chosen Company upheld the reputation established
in the Arghandab Valley, the reputation that the Chosen Few are
the best soldiers to ever hit the ground of Afghanistan. Just North
of the Chalbar Village in the Mineshin District, Chosen Company
dealt yet another devastating blow to the Taliban regime. 2nd platoon,
with elements from 1st platoon, 3rd platoon and the company headquarters,
inserted and were almost immediately engaged by enemy forces. Initial
reports say that up to 100 Taliban were eliminated during the 10
hour fight. Four members of the Chosen Few were wounded in action
- SSG Michael Christian, SGT Travis Stoddard, PFC Joseph Lorman,
and PFC Daniel Dedman; three of which were sent to Germany for additional
treatment. The men of the Chosen Few acted with remarkable courage
and unrelentless will, fighting valiantly until the day was over
and the battle was won. Every day, the men make me more proud to
say that I am a member of the Chosen Few. The resolve of Chosen
Company has not begun to falter; we will continue to hunt down and
eliminate the enemies of the United States.
May God Continue to Bless America.
Chosen Few Defend Freedom
Family and Friends of the Chosen Few – On 3 May 2005, elements
of 3rd Platoon, 1st Platoon and the Company Headquarters were called
forward into the Arghandab River Valley to the village of Bulac
Kalay to assist fellow Rock Paratroopers under attack by enemy forces.
The ensuing 6 hour fight left 17 enemies killed and 10 captured.
Chosen Company evacuated four of our own to medical facilities in
Germany - SSG Matthew Blaskowski, SGT Tim Brumley, PFC Matthew King
and PFC Tyler Wilson. Several other soldiers received minor wounds
and are back to duty with the company. Chosen Company performed
their duty against America’s enemies in truly remarkable fashion
with ferocious and raw courage. As events transpired, each paratrooper
rose to the challenge and fought with determined resolve that won
the day. I am truly amazed at the heroic effort each and every member
from the riflemen to the mortar crews put forth – all moving
together, each knowing his actions directly impacted on his brothers
on either side of himself. I am proud beyond mere words of our paratroopers.
We delivered a decisive blow against evil. Listed below will be
the status of our wounded paratroopers. We will keep in contact
with them during their recovery. Together we shall remain strong
and continue to make the world a safer place.
God Bless America.
CPT Eric Gardner and 1SG Scott Brzak |
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U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, U.S.
Central Command commander, congratulates Staff Sgt. Matthew Blaskowski,
Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne)
on receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in combat during a fire
fight May 3, 2005, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. The ceremony
was held Nov. 30, 2005, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army photo by Spc.
Jon Arguello
Chosen Company has undergone a change of
command. The new company commander is CPT Eric Gardner. Above is
a picture from the change of command ceremony that was held on 14
July. CPT Gardner is accepting the company guidon from the battalion
commander, symbolizing the change of command.
The hill in the foreground is where 2nd
Platoon fought for nearly seven hours. The bigger mountain behind
and to the right is where the enemy positions were. The mountain
to the left was where 1st Platoon was located. The building to the
right was where the company headquarters was set up. The picture
was taken the morning after the 21 June fight.
SSG Christian was shot in the arm, he is currently in Germany, the
doctors expect him to make a full recovery. SGT Stoddard, (photo
above) shot in the leg, is in Gremany as well, he is expected to
return to duty shortly. PFC Lorman, shot in the neck, is in also
in Germany, he is expected to return to duty in a few months. PFC
Dedman was also shot in the leg, he had returned to duty to continue
the fight against evil.
Above: SSG Blaskowski is presented the purple heart.
SGT Brumley is now out of the hospital and will be attending a DA
hospital in San Antonio to continue his Rehab. PFC King has been
released from Laundstuhl, and is back in America on convalescent
leave. Following his leave he will be going to Texas for additional
rehab. PFC Wilson is in a New Mexico hospital recovering. SSG Blaskowski
is on leave at home right now, and is waiting to get medically cleared
to return to the company.
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