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Stryker Soldier to Receive DSC

Feb-11-2009 » Filed Under: 4/2 SBCT

According to an article in this week's Army Times, Spc. Erik Oropeza will receive the Distinguished Service Cross this Friday at Ft. Irwin for actions taken when he was deployed with the 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT ("Manchus"). The DSC is the second-highest award for valor in the military. Congratulations to Oropeza.

Spc. Erik Oropeza doesn’t remember hearing a thing when the 13 155mm howitzer rounds exploded beneath his Stryker.

“I remember seeing a white light and then it went dark,” said Oropeza, who had been driving his Stryker on a dirt road 10 kilometers north of Taji, Iraq.

The soldier from 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment regained consciousness a few minutes later and climbed out of his blown-open hatch. [...]

Before the morning of May 22, 2007 was over, the young soldier had carried out action that would earn him the country’s second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross. Oropeza, 22, is to receive the medal in a Feb. 13 ceremony at Fort Irwin.

Thanks to CPT Shallcross for the heads-up.


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