Remembering a Warrior: SSG Matthew Blaskowski

Blackfive has a series of posts today about SSG Matthew Blaskowski, who will be the newest addition to our American Heroes section (which admittedly needs to be enlarged and updated a LOT).  Make sure you read the whole thing…because at the end is a way for you to give back to this warrior one last time.

As the enemy maneuvered against Blaskowski’s men, the staff sergeant repositioned his machine gun teams to keep them from being overrun.  That’s when Specialist Tyler Wilson was hit three times.  Realizing that a wounded man becomes an even bigger target than the machine gun teams, SSG Blaskowski ran to get Wilson.  When he got to Wilson’s position, bullets were hitting all around him.

That’s when SSG Blaskowksi was shot.  Hit in the leg, Blaskowski evacuated Wilson to a safer position where his soldiers could treat them.  Even though wounded, Blaskowski continued to direct his paratroopers until more help could arrive.

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Prepared and Loyal

Michael Yon does it again with another tear-jerker update from Iraq. I am so damn proud of these men.

Around the corner, the CSM and I walked up to one of our Valorous Award winners who suffered a severe hip injury in that same attack. The first thing he asked me was if I thought he would be able to recover and get back to his platoon before we redeployed. A few days earlier, two other Cavalry Troopers were in the emergency room being treated. CSM Jones and I walked in together and as we approached our first soldier he yelled out,”Prepared and Loyal, Sir”. His face, arms and legs were speckled with shrapnel but all he could think about was the unit. As the nurse wheeled himout for further examination, he unashamedly told his fellow injured platoonmate that he loved him and he got the same response back. I have seen the toughest men I know cry for one another and encourage each other through some difficult times. Whoever you know in this unit, know that they are heroes. This is a very personal endeavor, indeed.

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