A great deal of the successes in Iraq and Afghanistan are the direct result of the bravery and professionalism of our Special Forces units. 5th SFG is one of those units. Jake Lowery, of the Leaf Chronicle, recently wrote about the unit receiving the Valorous Unit Award.
It took four years, but the soldiers of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group on Friday received the “overdue honors” they deserved.
The Green Berets, about 80 in total, were presented the Valorous Unit Award — the second-highest award for a military unit — for their efforts from July 20 to Dec. 1, 2004.
The award is considered the equivalent of an individual receiving the Silver Star.
Maj. Paul Pfeiffer, commander of A/1/5, as it is more commonly known, said it is “exceptionally rare for an element this small to be awarded this honor.”
“Today we break from the routine,” he said to the small crowd. “As Special Forces soldiers, we often pride ourselves at being the quiet professionals. We do our job — most of the time exceptionally well — and continue on with little fanfare.”
Friday’s ceremony was an exception.
Jake Lowary covers military affairs. He can be reached at 245-0719 or by e-mail at jakelowary@theleafchronicle.com.
Read the rest of the story at the Leaf Chronicle.
Very cool. SF guys impress the heck out of me. I had the opportunity to visit the JFK Special Warfare Museum at Bragg pre-9/11, and also the off-base Airborne & Special Operations Museum. And, I am currently reading Marcus Lutrell’s book. The SF guys don’t get near the recognition I think they deserve. Good on A/1/5!
This is great! The awards were way overdue sounds like! God Bless all of our troops wherever you guys and gals serve and “Thank You” so much for your service to our country!!!!
Thank you and God Bless