Army Sgt. Gregory Williams---1st Stryker Brigade who saved the life of his Platoon Leader was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey, Jr. Although injured, Sgt. Williams pulled his Lieutenant from a smoldering combat vehicle, provided suppressive fire with a 50 caliber weapon and enabled first aid to be given to other Soldiers burned by the IED blast. During a mounted night patrol on October 30, 2006 Sgt. Williams Stryker combat vehicle was struck by an IED that sent a stream of molten fire into their vehicle. As the vehicle and its occupants caught fire, enemy forces unleashed an ambush of rocket propelled grenades and AK-47 rounds.
After Medics arrived to assess Sgt. Williams injuries, it was discovered that he could not hear and he felt that everything was spinning, he suffered burns and two punctured eardrums which required surgery. Sgt. Wilson was credited as the person in the heat of the moment did what he needed to do despite his own injuries.
Sgt. Williams believes that everyone in his squad would have done the same thing that day and credits them as Heroes in their own right.
