The 2d Cavalry Assn News Center

by Roger Hoskins, Modesto Bee

A little more than a year after he suffered a significant brain injury in an ambush in Iraq, Josh L. Whitfield of Waterford received the Bronze Star for his heroic efforts to protect Iraqi schoolchildren and his fellow U.S. soldiers even after he was hit.

The pinning ceremony took place Tuesday at Fort Lewis, Wash.

The citation describes what occurred:

“Specialist Whitfield’s platoon was conducting security operations near a school when they received small- arms fire. As they were redirecting children who were walking home, an extremist unveiled a pistol and fired at his vehicle.

Specialist Whitfield’s vehicle maneuvered towards the enemy while simultaneously engaging the target with his M4. As the vehicle advanced, another extremist emerged and opened fire with an AK-47. As Specialist Whitfield continued to engage the enemy with .50 caliber rounds, his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Even after the shock and confusion from the blast, Specialist Whitfield continued to engage the enemy until he fell unconscious. Specialist Whitfield’s actions reflect great credit upon him, the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi National Division-North, and the United States Army.”

Whitfield’s experiences were described in a story, “GI itching to rejoin Iraq unit,” which appeared in The Bee on May 6, 2008. He’s been undergoing rehabilitation since then. As soon as Monday, he hopes to learn whether he’ll be allowed to return to active duty. Whitfield praised the Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto for helping him in “an amazing recovery.”