The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant Cristin M. McKenzie, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious achievement while assigned as a Senior Wheeled Vehicle Operator of the 64th Corps Support Group in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 19 September 2003. Sergeant McKenzie’s extraordinary actions during an enemy ambush were instrumental in the survival of his convoy. His display of extreme bravery while under enemy fire and actions taken to protect his fellow soldiers reflects great credit upon himself, the 65th Corps Support Group, the 3d Corps Support Command and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
On 19 September 2003, the twelve vehicle convoy, including eight 5,000 gallon fuel tankers, led by 1st Platoon, was en route to FOB WEBSTER along ASR GOLDEN to MSR MOBILE. The 541st Transportation Company had been involved in seven previous IED attacks along the same route since 3 August 2003. At approximately 0940 hours after the left turn of ASR GOLDEN, the convoy was ambushed on the access road just before the onramp for MSR MOBILE. Sergeant McKenzie was the assistant operator in system 113, with Private First Class Heron as the primary operator. An IED struck T113 from the passenger side of the road wounding Private First Class Heron in the leg and rendering her semi-conscious for approximately 1 to 2 minutes. When the explosion occurred Sergeant McKenzie was temporarily stunned. He felt a piece of metal hit him in the left shoulder blade and felt a stinging sensation in the left side of his face. When he regained full consciousness he heard small arms fire from the rear at a 45-degree angle and from the front at a 45-degree angle. He opened the passenger door and immediately scanned for targets. He identified a white truck approximately 200 meters to hi9s left between two sand dunes creeping slowly towards MSR MOBILE> He immediately identified it as a threat and provided suppressive fire with his M249 SAW, striking the vehicle with approximately 10 – 15 rounds. Then Sergeant McKenzie asked Private First Class Heron if she was all right. She said she was hit in the leg. Sergeant McKenzie realized that Private First Class Heron would not be able to operate the vehicle. He jumped out of the truck while still hearing small arms fire and went around to Heron’s door. He opened the door and asked Private First Class Heron to remove her hand from her leg. When she did, Sergeant McKenzie noticed there was a quarter-size hole in her DCU pants. Although she was bleeding, he determined it was not a life threatening injury. He moved Private First Class Heron to the passenger side and attempted to move the vehicle. Sergeant McKenzie was unable to move the vehicle because the explosion severed an air line. He moved Private First Class Heron to T220 gun track where she received first aid on a 3 – 4 inch wound from shrapnel below her knee, and could be monitored prior to MEDEVAC arrival. Two Military Police security vehicles arrived and gave Sergeant McKenzie some 100-mph tape to try and fix the busted air line. He was not able to fix the air line, therefore he quickly cross-loaded all the equipment from T113 to T220, while Specialist Dover and Staff Sergeant Short attempted to cage the brakes on T-113. The MPs told Sergeant McKenzie and Staff Sergeant Ellis that they had detained one person and had found 26 RPG rounds, three RPG launchers, several IEDs, and a loaded AK-47 from the white truck in the field. When the MEDEVAC helicopter arrived, Sergeant McKenzie and Sergeant Timms helped carry Private First Class Heron to the MEDEVAC helicopter. Sergeant McKenzie’s reaction to the ambush, which included at least two IEDs, multiple RPGs and a barrage of small arms fire, was conspicuous and selfless. He showed a greater concern for his soldier than for his own personal safety.