An Army Sergeant stationed at Schoffield Barracks in Hawaii was recently awarded the Silver Star for bravery on the field of battle. The Soldier, Sergeant Scott Kenyon, first shot, then wrestled with an Iraqi insurgent who was shooting at him with a silenced 9mm machine gun. He didn’t even hear the shots until one hit his kevlar, the bullet embedding itself into the side of it, and one into his body armor. The bullet hit his helmet so hard, it turned his head to one side.
“I’m not going to lie. I was scared — I was scared to death,” the tall and lanky 22-year-old man from Lansing, Mich., said yesterday.
Kenyon shot the insurgent in the hand, causing the weapon to fly out of his hand. He also shot the other Iraqi that was firing on him. According to the Honolulu Advertiser:
But he kept going, wrestling down the Iraqi who had the machine gun, while another Schofield squad killed the other man.
Yesterday, against a much different backdrop of greenery at Schofield Barracks, where the greatest threat was rain, Kenyon received a Silver Star for his actions in Iraq nearly a year ago on June 6, 2008.
The medal is the nation’s third-highest military award for valor. Kenyon was recognized for his courage under enemy fire and effectiveness in subduing two enemy combatants.
About 75 fellow soldiers in B Company of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry “Gimlets” stood in formation during the award and congratulated — and razzed — Kenyon afterward, shaking his hand and slapping him on the shoulder.
“Serving my country is enough for me. Getting the Silver Star — that’s a bonus,” Kenyon said.
He also pointed out the contributions of the other soldiers on the mission.
“It wasn’t just me,” said Kenyon, a somewhat reserved soldier who didn’t look entirely comfortable in the spotlight.
Read the rest of the story about this brave hero HERE. There is also a video of the award ceremony at the site. I’ve sent him a request to come on the You Served Radio Show to talk about the experience.
