Twitter
Facebook
***image1***Staff Sgt. Jayson Wells, team leader of the 332nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, Balad Air Base, Iraq, was awarded the Bronze Star medal Jan. 24 for meritorious conduct from Jan. 9 to June 25, 2007, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Wells was deployed from the 435th Civil Engineer Squadron.
FEELINGS ABOUT RECEIVING THE BRONZE STAR “I am humbled.”
ROLE IN DEPLOYED LOCATIONS “Quick Reaction Force EOD team leader in Anaconda, Iraq.”
DEFINING MOMENTS OF DEPLOYMENT “Watching my friends get blown up, but hearing their voices over the radio saying they were OK. It was the only day in Iraq that two EOD teams were traveling in the same convoy together and both teams were hit by improvised explosive devices.”
RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMY COUNTER-PARTS “Life-changing. When a man is willing to die for you so that you can do your job, the relationship is life-changing. Words cannot express my gratitude for Sergeant 1st Class Thomas, Staff Sergeant Reinhard, Staff Sergeant McGarity or any of the guys from the 3-8 Cav.”
WHAT HE SAW “There wasn’t an event that stands out more than the rest. The citation only describes one day of many. All I can say is that the things I heard, felt and experienced can only be shared with those that were there and a few people known as ‘EOD techs’.”
HIS EXPERIENCE “Thanks to God for letting me live. Thanks to my family for their support. Thanks to my CE commanders who ensured we had the gear and training necessary to get the job done.”
