 Military News
Long View, Wash., native Sgt. Troy Levandoski, squad leader with 3rd platoon, 64th Military Police Company from Fort Hood, Texas, and Speedway, Ind., native John Schwindt, combat medic, 3rd platoon, 64th MP Co., both acted to save the lives of their fellow Soldiers when their squad cam under attack. On an alternate supply route a six-vehicle convoy was headed east to Forward Operating Base Delta on a route-clearance mission as two supply convoys followed them July 6. In the early hours of the morning, the fourth truck in the security convoy was hit by an explosively formed projectile. Levandoski and Schwindt reacted without hesitation to assist the damaged vehicle and their injured comrades. "It was our first time being hit, but every time I asked for something to be done it was already in place," said Levandoski remembering how well his squad performed. Levandoski arrived to the damaged vehicle with Schwindt to assess the injuries. Through the smoke Levandoski found that the driver and team leader were uninjured. When he yelled for the gunner there was no response. Without hesitation, the squad leader jumped into the truck to check on the gunner and found he was injured and unconscious. Levandoski then freed the gunner who was trapped in the turret by cutting him out of webbing that he was entangled in. Once the gunner was placed in the medical evacuation vehicle the unit started receiving small arms fire from a building approximately 35 meters from their position. Levandoski picked up the injured gunner's machine gun and began to fire on the position of the enemy until the unit cleared the danger zone. While under fire, Schwindt went to work trying to treat his two injured comrades. The injured gunner who had upper torso injuries and another Soldier who received injuries after being struck by a vehicle when trying to take cover during the attack. "It was my first time working on a casualty," said Schwindt, "I just took commands from my squad leader." Schwindt went through several life-saving steps to save his fellow Soldiers with no regard to his own personal safety. "I looked all around and saw the backs of my buddies' heads who were pulling security. They were all doing their jobs so I could do mine," said Schwindt. Once out of the danger zone Schwindt set up a casualty collection point were the two injured Soldiers were evacuated from. After Levandoski and Schwindt's actions on that day, their fellow Soldiers now trust in him to bring them home safely. "He can roll out with me any time," said Levandoski referring to his medic. "This is not just my award this is my squad's award." ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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