Project Hero

QandO has the next Silver Star recipient tribute up on their site.



Our hero this week is SGT James Witkowski, Silver Star

Entering a kill zone of approximately one mile, the convoy started receiving small arms fire. As IEDs exploded on both sides of the highway, insurgents rushed the convoy, shooting RPGs and lobbing hand-grenades.

Meanwhile, Witkowski held insurgents down with suppressive fire from the 50-caliber weapon atop his vehicle. When a grenade landed in his turret, Witkowski continued to engage the enemy amidst incoming fire. Doing so, he absorbed the full brunt of the explosion, saving the lives of three other Soldiers in the vehicle.

If Witkowski had not taken that action, “all four of them would have died without a doubt,” said Master Sgt. John Souza, of Watertown, Mass. Souza, who was also in the ambushed convoy.

Witkowski’s father, a Vietnam veteran from the 101st Airborne Division, swelled with emotion as Mock pinned the prestigious medal on his chest in his son’s behalf.

“This shows that he was a much better person than I was. I’m just so very proud of him,” said the senior Witkowski.

You can see his memorial site here, perhaps sign the guestbook.