Water in Washington

I am very proud to blog about this. I'm not writing about this just because this guy is a medic, and it's also not just because he is from Washington. Those play into it, but what this soldier has done is amazing to me, and people deserve to know about him.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Waiters, of Lacey, Washington, recently served as a medic with the 3rd Stryker Brigade out of Ft Lewis. While in Iraq, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) was struck by VBED (Vehicular IED). Sgt Waiters immediately shot and killed two enemy fighters, and then without a thought of personal safety, ran 90 yards (about the length of a football field) through hostile fire to get to the burning BFV. Despite the heat and the flames, Sgt Waiters pulled two soldiers out of the burning vehicle and began administering treatment. Once back at relative safety, Sgt Waiters became aware of a third soldier still inside of the BFV, and he again returned to attempt a rescue.

The BFV was engulfed in flames, and entering through the top was not an option, so he attempted to gain entry through the rear doors. He was driven back by the heat, so incredibly hot it melted his boots. Undaunted, he again attempted to pull out his comrade, and was again repelled, this time by rounds cooking off in the high heat. Finally, on the third try, he was able to locate and remove the body of the 3rd soldier from the vehicle.

For these actions he had been recommended for the Silver Star. But a Silver Star just doesn't seem like the correct form of acknowledgement for actions like these, and fortunately the Brigade Commander upgraded the nomination to the Defensive Service Cross (a "Baby Medal of Honor", as it is one step below that highest of honors).

He may not be receiving the Medal of Honor, in my eyes Staff Sgt. Christopher Waiters is just as amazing and heroic Desmond Doss or Alfred L Wilson, and his is a story that deserves to be told.