By SARA GREENE
Leader staff writer
Bronze Stars were recently awarded to Sr. Airman John Leese and Sr. Master Sgt. Stanley Joseph, both of the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, for their heroism during a recent deployment to Iraq.
After an improvised explosive device struck a truck in Leese’s convoy, he rendered combat-lifesaving actions to his injured comrades.
“(He) set the standard in this battalion in executing duties as a gunner and combat lifesaver,” said Army Lt. Col. Michael Holmes, 44th Corps Support Battalion commander.
Following a different convoy attack, Joseph led a line of trucks through the desert where the assault had taken place.
This leadership set the pace for 351 successful convoys covering 1.1 million miles of desert roads in Iraq.
“(Sergeant) Joseph’s leadership and motivational skills have been outstanding throughout this deployment,” said Army Brig. Gen. Charles Barr, 143rd Trans-portation Command commander.
The Bronze Star medal, authorized by Executive Order No. 9419 Feb. 4, 1944, is awarded a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States on or after Dec. 7, 1941, shall have distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
Staff Sgt. Beth Orlen contributed to this story.
