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As U.S. forces advanced toward
Baghdad between March 20 and April 5, 2003, then-Tech.
Sgt. Michael L. Keehan III and his team faced numerous life-and-death
situations – where their lives, and those of the men
around them, hung in the balance.
As part of a ground-forces unit, Keehan
and his men had to not only perform their duties as
airmen – by providing reconnaissance and relaying enemy
positions to air support – but to fight alongside
everyone else during fierce ground combat.
In the heavily fortified city of
Samawah, Keehan’s unit met heavy opposition. At one
point during the battle, Keehan ran out into heavy fire
to identify enemy positions along the riverbanks and
roads. Once he located their positions, Keehan and his
team returned fire and inflicted significant damage. |
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A few days later, Keehan
and his unit were thrust once more into the jaws of heavy combat. On
their way to Baghdad, they were suddenly surrounded by enemy forces
– just as a paralyzing sandstorm blew in, stripping the team of
sight and awareness. Outnumbered and barely able to see, Keehan’s
team quickly began relaying information to their air support –
enabling the deliverance of a devastating blow against the enemy.
The team pushed on. But just as they approached
the outskirts of Baghdad, enemy mortars and tank fire rained down on
their position. Under intense fire from T-72 tanks, artillery, and
small arms, Keehan edged his unit forward. As he had done countless
times before in the preceding two weeks, he risked his life to
protect his unit by emerging from a relatively safe position into
the heart of the battle. He once again braved intense fire to ensure
the accurate relay of enemy positions to air support.
Throughout it all, Keehan never faltered and he
did not fail. For his gallantry in action, he was awarded the
Silver Star medal in June 2007. |
