Lieutenant Awarded Distinguished Service Cross

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/11/02/5921-lieutenant-awarded-distinguished-service-cross/



Lieutenant Awarded Distinguished Service Cross
Nov 02, 2007
BY J.D. Leipold



WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 2, 2007) - First Lt. Walter B. Jackson became the seventh Soldier since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action.

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A second lieutenant at the time of his heroic action on Sept. 27, 2006, Lt. Jackson was cited for selfless courage under extreme enemy fire while serving as a company fire support officer with company A, Task Force 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

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Lt. Jackson's citation in part reads: "Upon regaining consciousness after being shot, second lieutenant alternated between returning fire and administering first aid to the Soldier. Second Lt. Jackson was hit again with machine gun fire as he helped carry his wounded comrade to safety, but he never faltered in his aid. Although his own severe wounds required immediate evacuation and surgical care, 2nd Lt. Jackson refused medical assistance until his wounded comrade could be treated. Second Lt. Jackson's selfless courage under extreme enemy fire was essential to saving another Soldier's life and is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service..."

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Before the presentation, Lt. Col. Thomas C. Graves, former Task Force commander, recounted part of that September 2006 day when he arrived at the medical aid station to see his wounded Soldiers and the first words to come from 2nd Lt. Jackson were of concern for the wounded captain he'd rescued.