Silver Star for Valor

Mortarman awarded Silver Star for valor

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, September 25, 2008

Kent Harris / s&s Staff Sgt. Christopher Upp receives the Silver Star from Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, during a ceremony Wednesday on Caserma Ederle. Upp received the honor for his actions on July 31, 2007, at Vehicle Patrol Base Seray in Afghanistan.

VICENZA, Italy — During the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment’s recently concluded tour in Afghanistan, there was no more dangerous place on a U.S. compound than the mortar pit.

That’s where U.S. soldiers would launch devastating counter attacks if enemy forces fired on the base.

And as a result, "They (the mortar pits) were always targets," said Lt. Col. Bill Ostlund, the battalion commander. "Because they’re what kept [the enemy] off the bases."

Ostlund said soldiers from the 28-member Mortar Platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Company have received 41 valor awards for their actions in Afghanistan, including three Bronze Star Medals with valor.

On Wednesday, the platoon received its second Silver Star.

Ostlund pinned the medal on Staff Sgt. Christopher Upp in a ceremony on a Caserma Ederle basketball court next to one of the barracks.

"In 25 years, this is the first opportunity I’ve had to present a Silver Star to a soldier," Ostlund told soldiers from the company and other elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team gathered around the court.

Upp, a 27-year-old from Sterling, Colo., was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with the platoon and fourth tour downrange overall. He was assigned to Vehicle Patrol Base Seray in the Chowkay Valley on July 31, 2007.

Upp said the first memory that pops into his mind of that day is the mortar round that hit near the mortar pit — killing 1st Lt. Benjamin Hall.

"A great officer was killed," he said, lifting the Silver Star Medal pinned to his uniform. "This is for him really."

Upp led a small group in a charge toward the pit. They were targeted by machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades along the way. More than once, they were knocked to the ground by rocket-propelled grenades that landed close to them. Once they got to the pit, another RPG damaged the tripod that supports the 120-millimeter mortar, and shrapnel tore a large gash in Upp’s left forearm. The wound would eventually require 17 stitches.

With the mortar support damaged, Upp had to use his hands — and shoulders when the tube got too hot — to guide the return fire. He fired 75 rounds back at enemy positions, enduring constant machine-gun fire.

Upp said he remembers much of the battle from a third-person perspective.

"It’s kind of like when your foot goes to sleep and you can’t feel it, but you know it’s still there," he said. "That’s how my mind was. Numb. Human instinct to survive kicks in. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do."

Upp, recently married, said he’ll now join the SETAF staff, keeping him in Italy — and away from any mortar pit for at least a while.

Normalcy, emails and Medals

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been ages since I have written here but felt rather interested in doing so this evening. Like many of you that may have had a soldier downrange I found myself searching news on the Internet or even downloading the Stars & Stripes for any bit of information on the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Since Alex has been home and is now back in Italy it seems I don't have a need to worry. As many of you also know that his Birthday was 9/11 so I tried to keep that day on a positive note.

Today however, I did receive some news in the form of an email from my son's SFC Levy. Jason wrote how his Mortar Team of 28 men have been awarded a total of 41 medals for Valor. Of these two were for Silver Stars for Valor 3 Bronze Stars for Valor and 36 Army Commendations for Valor as well. He informed me that Alex was one of the recipients with a total of 3 Army Commendations for Valor. Yes, you guessed correct, I had a huge grin when I read that piece. His Mortar Pit N.C.O. SSG Upp received one of the Silver Stars. Alex has told me some amazing stories about he and SSG Upp so when I heard he was awarded this countries second highest award for Valor I wasn't surprised. So with that said, I downloaded the Stars & Stripes and sure enough there it was on the second page which I am going to post on my next posting. Well I have to run for now so I can get that posted so until next time, breath easier, they are safe.

Cheers,

Larry Arnone ( AKA A Bluestardad ) and I want to keep it that way
San Francisco

Farewells, Hugs and ringing phones

Last night I expressed my farewells to my soldier as he returns to Italy on a 6:30 AM flight aboard Delta. He chose to spend his last hours home with his friends which is not surprising. It amazes me when I look at my warrior and see a different person. He is now grown, confident and direct. I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I wanted but the time we did share will never be forgotten. It was so grand to have him home safe and sound. On his second night home he removed his tee shirt only to reveal an 8 inch scare down the back of his shoulder. This was not a scare from his childhood, so when I asked him where did that come from he told me "Dad, I have no clue. We were in a fire fight from hell and when the smoke cleared I was asked if I was hit and I was baffled by the question until I felt the blood dripping down my back. I am not sure if it was from AK or from mortar fire. " I later spied many other scars on his body of which he really didn't want to talk about. I guess I am fortunate enough that my son is not having to endure life as a WIA at WRMC or another medical center.

Alex did come to my home last night to pick up his things and pack for his return to his brothers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. It seems to me to be one of the longest hugs that I can remember. I have come to realize that he is now a man and no longer a child. It is a hug that I will not soon forget. He did try and call Delta Airlines to get a later flight (he had a 6:30am departure but wanted to get on the 9:10am) but they wanted an additional $1,700.00 for the change which he refused.

At 6:30 AM I received a call from him a little frantic that they wouldn't let him on the flight as they have already boarded. I told him to find a sympathetic ear at the counter. I then jumped onto the phone and called Delta's Corp, office to see what I can do for him. It turns out that while I am on hold Alex in fact does find someone sympathetic and gets on the flight at 9:10 am at no additional cost. I am a little miffed that they tried to take him for $1,700.00 dollars which is more than the original $1,600.00 that he paid for a round trip. He did mention that he was on active duty and just trying to extend his stay by a couple of hours. It really does disgust me that Corp, America is displaying it's feigns on our warriors who shed their blood in our countries honor. I am not posting the photos of Alex while he was home only because I don't want to humiliate him on line..... lol.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)