SGT Justin "Doc" Henry 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 14 April 2012

SGT Justin "Doc" Henry

SGT Henry, 24, is the proud son of Debrah Wetzle.  After studying Criminal Justice for a year at a community college, he made the choice to serve his nation during a time of war.  He enlisted in the National Guard as a Chemical Equipment Repair Specialist in 2006.

SGT Henry wanted a greater challenge; he became an 11B, Infantryman when he joined the Army full-time in 2008.  He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge while deployed to Afghanistan a year later.  His mettle was tested and proved under fire; also, he witnessed how significant of a role the combat medic has during Infantry operations.  That epiphany resulted in a request to change his Military Occupational Specialty to 68W, Health Care Specialist.

As a Combat Medic, SGT Henry provided medical coverage for 3^rd platoon, ABLE Company during Operation Enduring Freedom XI-XII.  He continuously conducted preventive medicine operations which kept his platoon fit to fight throughout the year-long deployment.  SGT Henry provided exceptional amounts of personal attention to the individual needs of his brothers-in-arms.

SGT Henry earned the esteemed Combat Medic Badge in September of 2011.  He used his experience from previous mountain warfare operations to emplace a fortified platoon-level casualty collection point on top of jagged ridgeline.  He dug-in, filled sand bags, and camouflaged the CCP which resulted in his being able to sustain the platoon’s medical readiness during a five days long blocking position.  After a firefight with the enemy during the first day, SGT Henry assessed the platoon and ensured it was able to complete its mission.

SGT Henry is a hybrid Soldier.  He is an experienced Infantryman who has previously closed with and engaged the enemy; he knows the kinetic fight and can position himself to best serve his Soldiers as their Combat Medic.  SGT Henry is a unique and accomplished NCO who brings great credit upon himself and the Blackhawk Brigade.

SPC Erik Wiley 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 7 April 2012

SPC Erik Wiley

Duty Position and MOS: Team Leader, 11B

 SPC Wiley has performed above his peers while serving with the 172^ND Blackhawk Brigade.

SPC Erik Wiley is the pride of his parents Connie Roberts and Landon Wiley.  He played linebacker and point guard on his high school football and basketball team.  His participation in team sports prepared him for the brotherly commitment that came with serving in the Infantry.

SPC Wiley enlisted in the Army as an 11B, Infantryman in January of 2010.  Prior to deploying to Afghanistan, he was hand selected to be trained to operate as a member of a mortar team.  His ability to quickly master the conduct of indirect fires during Infantry operations resulted in assignment to the headquarters platoon of Bravo Company, 1-2 Infantry as a gunline squad leader.

SPC Wiley had the honor of maintaining and operating the Venom Company Battle-Gator (VCBG), a custom built weaponized utility vehicle that was armed with a belt-fed, fully-automatic 40mm grenade launcher and a .50 caliber machine gun.  He conducted four air assault operations in which he was inserted into enemy controlled terrain by dismounting the VCBG from a Chinook helicopter during hours of limited visibility.  Once in the support by fire position, he emplaced his 60mm mortar system and was prepared to immediately suppress any enemy which dared to engage Venom Company.

SPC Wiley demonstrated outstanding leadership in the performance of his duties as a mortarman and headquarters “go-to” guy; this resulted in his selection for promotion to Sergeant ahead of his peers.

Currently, SPC Wiley is assigned as a Team Leader for Alpha Company, 3-66 AR, TF 1-2 IN on FOB XXXX.  He represents the third generation of Wiley to serve his country during wartime, he is a true American patriot and stellar icon for his Blue Star Mom!   Blackhawk.

SPC Bishop Hunter 172d ABLE Co 3-66 Soldier of the Week 23 March 2012

My dear friend Bob Connolly and I have been sending support to the men of ABLE Company over the past few months.  Just this week the 1SG began to send me emails regarding "Soldier of the Week".  I wish he'd done this sooner.

So here is the first one:

SPC Hunter K Bishop

SPC Bishop, Machine Gunner, 11B, has demonstrated a commitment to the 172d Brigade which distinguished him from his peers.

SPC Hunter Bishop is the youngest son of Ky and Terri Bishop.  He landed the lead role and starred in the independent movie Chasing Case.  Despite a shot at stardom, a patriotic calling to duty led him to enlist in the Army as an Infantryman in April 2010.

SPC Bishop has participated in four air assault operations in the rugged mountains of XXXX Province, Afghanistan.  He carried combat loads in excess of 100 pounds during missions that lasted over five days each.  In XXXX Province he conducted over 100 foot patrols, lasting over four hours each, through an agricultural based landscape laden with wide trenches as deep as 30 feet.  SPC Bishop inspired his battle buddies to perform to highest standards possible by setting a perfect example on a daily basis during operations that were partnered with the Afghan National Forces.

Physical fitness is a high priority for SPC Bishop; he understood the importance of being fit to fight.  While conducting rigorous combat operations, he scored 265 points on an Army Physical Fitness test conducted at over 7000 feet of elevation with an ambient temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.  SPC Bishop always volunteered to help his platoon complete their missions during the worst weather conditions, hot or cold.  His sense of duty and pride in being part of a team are the hallmark of what makes this Soldier stand out from the formation.

His personal experience during numerous combat operations inspired the permanent artwork which adorns his right shoulder and bicep.  In XXX the 172d BCT will case its colors; SPC Bishop will proudly continue to carry the symbol of the 172d and share his story as part of the Blackhawk Brigade.