Connellsville soldier saves lives of fellow soldiers
A Connellsville soldier is being credited with saving the lives of his fellow soldiers after a grenade was thrown onto the M1A1 Abrams Tank they were riding in during a patrol mission in Iraq. Spc. Brian Sheetz, a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Division, 1/103rd unit based in Connellsville, sustained injuries to his hands and face after one of three tossed grenades exploded. He has returned to regular duty.
“Spc. Brian Sheetz, a proud husband and a father of two, defined his true character in a short two seconds,” said Spc. Dennis Smith, unit public affairs officer. “Not only on his watch was he or his comrades going to die because of his bravery, fighting spirit and loyal devotion to his fellow crew members, he became a true war hero by preventing certain injury and even death to himself and his brothers in arms.”
Smith said that on Feb. 27, Sheetz and three other soldiers were patrolling Highway 10, or as the soldiers refer to it “IED Alley.”
“Our stretch of the Main Supply Route (MSR) runs between Ar Ramadi and Al Fallujah,” said Smith. “Along the MSR and in the towns that surround it, there is a strong military presence and likewise a high level of insurgent activity.”
The company is tasked with conducting control operations along the MSR in order to prevent insurgents the ability to engage convoys with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, keep safe the Iraqis living in the area and to provide a secure travel route.
The tank, in which Sheetz was the loader, was scanning the highway when the incident took place, said Smith.
“Unbeknownst to the crew, the enemy was lurking in the distance waiting for the right moment to strike,” he said. “As the turret traversed to the right, the insurgents made their move.
“The enemy was able to gauge the perfect moment waiting patiently behind a concrete wall with a vehicle staged for a rapid getaway.”
The first explosion that the crew heard took place on the top of the tank, said Smith. The second landed inside the tank and was picked up by Sheetz and hurled outside the loaders hatch.
“Just inches above his hand and head, it exploded with the fragments penetrating his hand and face and creating a deep laceration to the palm of his hand and left temple,” said Smith.
One of the soldiers with Sheetz, who also serves as the Combat Lifesaver, immediately began administering medical aid until he was transferred to the Medical Quick Response team for transfer to the battalion aid station.
The third grenade was later found by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team lying on the ground, unexploded, near the tank.
Sheetz had little memory of the incident and subsequent actions by his fellow soldiers.
“I didn’t think,” he said of picking up the grenade. “I just remember grabbing it and throwing it out.”
Col. John L. Gronski, the 28th Division, 2nd Brigade commander, said the mission is “dangerous” but the continued efforts by the soldiers have decreased the number of roadside bombings.
“The greatest dangers are from the IEDs,” said Gronski. “These roadside bombs have caused 59 percent of the battalion casualties.
“One thing the battalion is proud of is that since the end of September we have reduced roadside bomb attacks from about 45 per week to about 10 per week.
“The battalion has done this through aggressive offensive operations, killing or capturing IED makers and (the insurgents placing the explosives) and capturing bomb making material in weapons caches.”
Gronski said that the soldiers remain confident, despite setbacks.
“The soldiers are confident that through their efforts, Iraq will become a peaceful and prosperous country and the people of Iraq will be able to live free and raise their families without fear.”