The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ivan Reza, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq on 20 October 2006. Sergeant Reza moved in the line of enemy fire in disregard of his own safety to provide aid as a Combat Medic to a critically wounded soldier. Though wounded himself, Sergeant Reza refused aid and continued treating the wounded Soldier until he reached the Battalion Aid Station. His efforts helped to save the Soldier’s life. His heroic actions during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission, His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon himself, the First Brigade Combat Team, the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant Ivan Reza heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally gallant conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Combat Medic, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Task Force 1-36, Hit, Iraq, on 20 October 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. On 20 October 2006, Sergeant Reza was accompanying his section as the platoon medic. His section was tasked to monitor the local mosque message and was stationed along Route ASPEN in Hit, Iraq, in Al Anbar Province. After the message was complete, the section leader, Staff Sergeant Guillory, began movement back to the company CP. The Bradley Fighting Vehicles began to move when one of the Bradley’s became disabled when the track came out of alignment with the sprocket. Staff Sergeant Guillory ordered the section to halt and began dismounting his squad to provide security while the crew conducted repairs. When the ramp was lowered the squad with Sergeant Reza moved out and assumed security positions around the vehicle. Corporal McNew, the vehicle gunner opened his turret shield door and began to dismount when the vehicle came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire directed into the back ramp of the vehicle. Corporal McNew was instantly hit in the leg and abdomen. Staff Sergeant Guillory pulled Corporal McNew into the turret and called for medic support. Sergeant Reza, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved into the line of fire and in the back ramp. He was immediately hit with a gunshot wound to the abdomen that would be later classified as “urgent surgical.” Disregarding his own wounds, he helped Staff Sergeant Guillory pull Corporal McNew back into the crew compartment as the ramp was being raised. Inside the vehicle, he then began immediate lifesaving techniques to stabilize Corporal McNew. Staff Sergeant Gui9llory called for medical evacuation support and the company ambulance arrived to assist. Still under fire, the ambulance moved to the back of the Bradley and both vehicles lowered their ramps. Sergeant Guillory helped move Corporal McNew into the back of the ambulance. Still refusing medical attention, Sergeant Reza continued to help stabilize Corporal McNew while the ambulance moved back towards the Battalion Aid Station. Once at the Aid Station, Sergeant Reza then allowed medics and the doctor to give him medical aid for his own wounds. The Battalion Surgeon immediately recognized the seriousness of Sergeant Reza’s wounds and began stabilizing him for medical evacuation to Al Asad and immediate surgery. Sergeant Reza was subsequently evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for further treatment and recovery. Sergeant Reza’s heroism under intense enemy fire was directly responsible for saving the life of a critically injured Soldier. Disregarding the danger and despite his own wounds, he administered critical care to a fellow Soldier wounded in action. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect great credit upon himself, the Ready First Combat Team, the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, and the United States Army.