Soldier of the Week – SFC Gregory Stube
When Sergeant First Class Gregory Stube volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in 2006, the Special Forces trained medic was expected to fill a civil affairs role. When he was asked to serve as the medic for an upcoming mission, he knew he had no other choice than to help the 3rd Special Forces Group. It was a decision that would change the course of the rest of his life.
On Sept. 6, 2006, as Stube was en route to set up a triage area for Soldiers wounded during the five-day Operation Medusa in Kandahar, his vehicle was hit by a remotely detonated improvised explosive device. A one-pound piece of shrapnel penetrated his leg, traveling through his pelvis and abdomen.
Despite his injuries, the NCO continued to focus on accomplishing the mission and the welfare of his fellow Special Forces Soldiers, even crawling out of the burning wreckage to fire his weapon at the enemy. Also, because he remained conscious throughout the incident, he was able to guide his fellow Soldiers through the care he needed, a benefit of his medical training. Reflecting on the day, Stube said he was not heroic, simply focused on self-preservation.
After being airlifted to Germany and eventually flown to Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, Stube had a long road to recovery ahead of him. In the past three years, he has undergone 17 procedures and surgeries. As a result of the shrapnel injury, Stube suffered devastating internal injuries, in addition to third-degree burns on his lower back and legs.
Throughout his recovery, he has chosen to focus on his capabilities instead of disabilities. The Soldier could have medically retired from the Army, but chose to use his story to help others. Stube is committed to helping other wounded warriors and their families get the care and support that they need.
“I’ve been very well cared for, and so, now I have to occupy myself in any way I can to continue to support that system and make sure that Soldiers who are wounded behind me get the same kind of treatment that I did,” said Stube.
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Stube is currently assigned to the Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at Fort Bragg, N.C., and lives in Cameron, N.C., with his wife Donna and their young son, Gregory Jr. The Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal recipient has more than 21 years of service in the Army, and followed in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Navy during Vietnam.
Amy Galvez
October 19th, 2009 at 6:35 pmAwesome story. Thanks you for your service and sacrifice SFC Stube. You represent all that is good about America. Thanks CJ for sharing his story.
suleiman
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 pmsoldier of the week SFC GREGORY STUBE,
SFT Stube is brave,motivated and couregous American who has demosrated that he is selfless and has dignity and obligation to his nation despite his deep excessive injuries and pain he carried out what he was impossible to help his fellow country men .
Further more he is has not stop motivating others to accomplish mission although he is out of theatre of operation by encouraging them with his story and his position.
Elizabeth Schaaf-Croonquist
January 13th, 2010 at 4:43 amSFC Greg Stube, in my book, is “Soldier of the Year!” Sgt. Stube’s story has truly shaken me to the core. I am so humbled and blessed by his unbelievable story. His love for our country and the freedom it represents, has been awakened a new patriotism in me as never before in my life. But I have another reason to be so shaken: Sgt. Greg Stube is my great-nephew. (I am his grandmother Audrey Schaaf-Gladden’s youngest sister, & his mother Karen LaJoie Stube is my niece.) I’ve never met Sgt. Stube personally, but would be truly blessed to do so. If there’s an e-mail address for him, I would be most appreciative. Thank you. (Greg, if you’re reading this, please contact me~I would be so grateful.)