Bronze Star Recipient
Lee M. Chandler |
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What may
surprise
some who
are not
fully
aware of
various
military
missions
is that
Sailors
are
serving
in
harm’s
way in
Iraq and
Afghanistan.
In fact,
thousands
are
making a
difference
every
day be
it from
the sea,
air or
even
landlocked
in the
middle
of a
desert.
Hull
Technician
1st
Class
Lee M.
Chandler,
a
reservist
from
Naval
Reserve
Center
Minneapolis,
is one
such
landlocked
Sailor
who was
part of
the
Provincial
Reconstruction
Team in
Afghanistan’s
Kunar
province
keeping
the
wheels
of
coalition
forces’
vehicles
rolling
to
accomplish
the
mission
of
security,
reconstruction
and
development.
Kunar
province
is
located
in the
northeast
corner
of
Afghanistan,
bordering
Pakistan.
It has
rugged
mountains
to
sweltering
desert
valleys
with
extreme
summertime
heat.
For a
mechanic,
this
harsh
terrain
and
climate
pose a
major
challenge
and can
take its
toll on
vehicles.
Additionally,
Kunar is
the most
militarily
active
province.
Chandler
didn’t
let the
weather,
land, or
being a
Sailor
in an
Army
environment
deter
him. He
was
involved
in
several
vehicle
recovery
Quick
Response
Team (QRT)
missions
during
his
assignment
as the
non-commissioned
officer
in
charge
of the
motor
pool for
Provincial
Reconstruction
Team
Kunar.
During
one
vehicle
recovery
QRT
mission
in
particular,
Chandler's
team
came
under
rocket
attack
from
insurgent
forces.
Under
enemy
fire,
Chandler
ensured
the safe
evacuation
of
coalition
forces
and
equipment
without
injury
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to
personnel or damage to
equipment. |
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"Petty Officer First Class Chandler's
personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a
combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly
contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom," read the
citation from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser.
But, Chandler is quick to downplay his role. “I was just doing my
job,” he said. “My team earned this. I just get the privilege of
wearing it,” Chandler insisted. Recognizing others and their
courage, he also noted that he was one of 11 Naval recipients of a
Bronze Star Medal for PRT Kunar.
The Bronze Star was awarded to Chandler, a member of Maritime
Expeditionary Boat Detachment 922, in a ceremony aboard Naval Air
Station North Island, Calif., Feb 13. The medal was presented to
Chandler by his stepson, Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman William
Zorich, who was on temporary duty to NAS North Island from the San
Antonio-Class amphibious ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18).
"It was such an honor to have the award presented by my son,"
Chandler said. "He, too, knows all too well the hard work and
sacrifices that are required by Sailors and their families."
Excerpts from article by Mass Communication specialist 2nd Class Ron
Kuzlik, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 3 Public Affairs,
Feb. 24, 2009 and special article to American Forces Press Service
by Navy Lt Neil Myers, Aug. 4, 2008. |
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Photo and information courtesy of US
Navy /
Dept. of Defense |
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Bronze Star Recipients |
Other Heroes | |
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