Courtesy: Lincoln Journal Star. June 3. 2009.
The father of a 31-year-old Moline native who died Tuesday in Iraq said his son was promoted to sergeant in March, less than a year after joining the Army.
“He actually was able to beat the standard time it takes to become a sergeant,” Joe Duffy of Cozad, Neb., said of his son, Sgt. Justin J. Duffy. “So he was really proud of that.”
Justin Duffy died in Baghdad after the Humvee he was driving hit an improvised explosive device shortly after 1 p.m. local Iraqi time Tuesday, according to the Department of Defense.
He was the only soldier who died in the blast, although three others were injured, his father said.
He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, N.C. In Baghdad, his unit was based at Camp Loyalty and provided security for military leadership.
Justin Duffy grew up in Moline, Ill., and moved with his family to Cozad when he was in the sixth grade.
After graduating from Cozad High School in 1995, he earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He worked for Eaton Corp. in Kearney for five years before joining the Army.
“He didn’t see a future in the manufacturing environment and needed more of a challenge,” Joe Duffy said. “He found the challenge in the U.S. Army.”
He said his son’s unit was busy in Iraq, going on one to two operations a day, six days a week. It provided escort security for high-ranking Army officials.
“Most of the operations were very uneventful,” Joe Duffy said.
He said his son had a strong will and pursued his goals fervently.
“He wouldn’t take no,” Joe Duffy said. “He wouldn’t stop. He had a very strong work ethic and drive.”
He said his son also enjoyed spending time with friends.
He leaves behind his parents, including his mother, Janet Duffy of Cozad, and his grandfather, LeRoy Hood of Moline.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 1st St. A, Moline, Ill. He will be buried at Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island.
His family is planning a memorial service in Cozad after his funeral.
“My wife and I had nothing but pride in our son,” Joe Duffy said. “He made a choice, a difficult choice. He was going to make a career of the Army.”
The Lincoln Journal Star is a Lee Enterprises newspaper. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Medic
Courage in Combat Earns Medic Valor Award
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
Date: 05.30.2009
Posted: 05.30.2009 01:36
BAGHDAD – For Sgt. James Carter, his Iraq experience this time around is shaped by his experiences during his first tour in 2006.
As a line medic, the 33-year-old from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad, was credited for saving the lives of his fellow paratroopers during combat missions during one of the most violate times in Iraq during his last tour.
Now, as a non-commissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo., native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job. It is a change he welcomes.
"As an NCO, my role has changed in that now I am the teacher, and I try to incorporate realistic, tough training to prepare our medics for the great responsibility of being 'Doc'," he said.
It was that realistic training that gave Carter the skills he needed during an escort mission on July 17, 2007.
While serving as a platoon medic with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company was conducting an explosive ordnance disposal escort mission along a major supply route in Samarra, Iraq.
During this patrol, a massive improvised explosive device detonated inside a culvert, causing a catastrophic effect under a U.S. Navy EOD vehicle. The enormous explosion threw the vehicle high into the air, causing it to land on its side; trapping the three Navy EOD personnel inside.
Carter risked his life by entering the burning vehicle in order to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter's was able to save one member of the team in an act of true bravery.
For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by the 82nd Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, while visiting troops deployed to Baghdad.
Carter credits his fellow paratroopers for allowing him to do his job under the most stressful of situations.
"They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives," he said. "I own a lot to them because I couldn't have done it on my own."
"Sgt. Carter represents the very best of the 2nd Panther Team and the Army. He displayed selfless-service by entering the burning vehicle multiple times embodying the spirit of the Army Values," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th Parachute Inf. Regt., of Fayetteville, N.C. "Sgt. Carter's actions truly define the meaning of a hero."
Life in uniform is nothing new in Carter's family. His father served in the Marine Corps and then the Army. Carter's father also served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Medic of the Year during a board held in Baghdad.
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
Date: 05.30.2009
Posted: 05.30.2009 01:36
BAGHDAD – For Sgt. James Carter, his Iraq experience this time around is shaped by his experiences during his first tour in 2006.
As a line medic, the 33-year-old from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad, was credited for saving the lives of his fellow paratroopers during combat missions during one of the most violate times in Iraq during his last tour.
Now, as a non-commissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo., native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job. It is a change he welcomes.
"As an NCO, my role has changed in that now I am the teacher, and I try to incorporate realistic, tough training to prepare our medics for the great responsibility of being 'Doc'," he said.
It was that realistic training that gave Carter the skills he needed during an escort mission on July 17, 2007.
While serving as a platoon medic with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company was conducting an explosive ordnance disposal escort mission along a major supply route in Samarra, Iraq.
During this patrol, a massive improvised explosive device detonated inside a culvert, causing a catastrophic effect under a U.S. Navy EOD vehicle. The enormous explosion threw the vehicle high into the air, causing it to land on its side; trapping the three Navy EOD personnel inside.
Carter risked his life by entering the burning vehicle in order to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter's was able to save one member of the team in an act of true bravery.
For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by the 82nd Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, while visiting troops deployed to Baghdad.
Carter credits his fellow paratroopers for allowing him to do his job under the most stressful of situations.
"They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives," he said. "I own a lot to them because I couldn't have done it on my own."
"Sgt. Carter represents the very best of the 2nd Panther Team and the Army. He displayed selfless-service by entering the burning vehicle multiple times embodying the spirit of the Army Values," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th Parachute Inf. Regt., of Fayetteville, N.C. "Sgt. Carter's actions truly define the meaning of a hero."
Life in uniform is nothing new in Carter's family. His father served in the Marine Corps and then the Army. Carter's father also served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Medic of the Year during a board held in Baghdad.
Walls
Walls Come Tumbling Down
225th Engineer Brigade
Story by Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Date: 06.01.2009
Posted: 06.01.2009 05:12
BAGHDAD – Just as American teenagers hang out with friends on a hot summer night, Iraqi teenagers were doing the same, May 28, except their entertainment was watching Soldiers from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, (Heavy), 225th Engineer Brigade tear down barriers blocking a popular street in central Baghdad.
Many cheered, gave a thumbs-up or simply said, "Good!"
The walls surrounding the small Combat Outpost known simply as 102, in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, came crashing down, further evidence of the implementation of the Security Agreement.
The nighttime operation opened up streets and buildings that guarded the walls that housed Soldiers from Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The Soldiers lived and worked out of the run-down hotel in order to stay in close contact with the community and help train Iraqi securty force partners.
"It is significant that this route is being opened fully," said Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit, commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, as he toured the work site with Col. Tim McQuire, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
No one would agree more than the Iraqi residents.
"The Iraqis seem very excited," Staff Sgt. Marcos Lopez, of El Paso, Texas, said. "The teenagers were all giving thumbs up and saying, 'Good!'"
Each wall, a large wire mesh and cloth crate filled with dirt called Hesco barriers, broken down along Abu Nuwas Street is a visible sign of progress.
"At the direction of the brigade combat teams, the engineers are working to reduce the footprint in Baghdad by assisting with the removal of Hesco barriers as COP 102 is closed," explained the future operations officer for the 225th Eng. Bde., Maj. Shane Rauh, of Baton Rouge, La.
Lopez, the non-commissioned officer in charge of removing Hesco barriers for the 46th Eng. Combat Bn., described the work as important for the neighborhood. He said tearing down the walls would allow for better access to buildings that provide economic stiumulus for the economy.
"This project has a big impact on the community," Lopez said. "They are getting their neighborhood back."
225th Engineer Brigade
Story by Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Date: 06.01.2009
Posted: 06.01.2009 05:12
BAGHDAD – Just as American teenagers hang out with friends on a hot summer night, Iraqi teenagers were doing the same, May 28, except their entertainment was watching Soldiers from the 46th Engineer Combat Battalion, (Heavy), 225th Engineer Brigade tear down barriers blocking a popular street in central Baghdad.
Many cheered, gave a thumbs-up or simply said, "Good!"
The walls surrounding the small Combat Outpost known simply as 102, in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, came crashing down, further evidence of the implementation of the Security Agreement.
The nighttime operation opened up streets and buildings that guarded the walls that housed Soldiers from Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The Soldiers lived and worked out of the run-down hotel in order to stay in close contact with the community and help train Iraqi securty force partners.
"It is significant that this route is being opened fully," said Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit, commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, as he toured the work site with Col. Tim McQuire, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
No one would agree more than the Iraqi residents.
"The Iraqis seem very excited," Staff Sgt. Marcos Lopez, of El Paso, Texas, said. "The teenagers were all giving thumbs up and saying, 'Good!'"
Each wall, a large wire mesh and cloth crate filled with dirt called Hesco barriers, broken down along Abu Nuwas Street is a visible sign of progress.
"At the direction of the brigade combat teams, the engineers are working to reduce the footprint in Baghdad by assisting with the removal of Hesco barriers as COP 102 is closed," explained the future operations officer for the 225th Eng. Bde., Maj. Shane Rauh, of Baton Rouge, La.
Lopez, the non-commissioned officer in charge of removing Hesco barriers for the 46th Eng. Combat Bn., described the work as important for the neighborhood. He said tearing down the walls would allow for better access to buildings that provide economic stiumulus for the economy.
"This project has a big impact on the community," Lopez said. "They are getting their neighborhood back."
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