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GI itching to rejoin Iraq unit

May- 6-2008 » Filed Under: 4/2 SBCT

Here's a nice update on a 4/2 SBCT (I'm guessing) 2nd SCR soldier injured in Iraq and now recovering in the States.

By ROGER W. HOSKINS, Modesto Bee

WATERFORD -- The rocket exploded just inches from Josh Whitfield's head, leaving him with a concussion and other moderate injuries.

But it isn't how close the Army specialist came to eternity that troubles him today. It's the distance that separates him from his buddies in Iraq.

The blast didn't stop him from ordering the driver of the Stryker armored vehicle he was in to back up to protect U.S. soldiers on the ground. Nor did it stop him from firing his mounted .50-caliber machine gun for nearly a minute before he passed out.

The 20-year-old Hughson High School graduate dismissed the notion that he was ever at risk.

"My life wasn't in jeopardy," he said. "My medic did his job and the platoon did their job."

His road to recovery from the March 24 ambush in Baghdad has taken him to Landstuhl, Germany, then to Washington, D.C., Palo Alto and finally home to Waterford.

Whitfield relayed his latest evaluations given to him by Army doctors.

"Physically, my prognosis is full recovery," Whitfield said.

Officially his condition was called "moderate traumatic brain injury" but significant might be a more accurate term to laymen. Doctors told him he will always be at risk from "secondary impact syndrome." [...]


Comments For "GI itching to rejoin Iraq unit":

He is from 1st Platoon, Nemesis Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, not 4th Bde 2nd ID. Both 4/2 just different. He is also a great kid!!!

Posted by: Nathan Jenkins | May 7, 2008 10:54 PM

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