Seabee Awarded Purple Heart in Iraq

Story Number: NNS070813-11

Release Date: 8/13/2007 5:18:00 PM

By Builder 1st Class James Gammon, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Public Affairs

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq (NNS) -- Construction Electrician 2nd Class Jason Harrison, of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, was awarded the Purple Heart Medal by Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon, Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division (1 NCD) Aug. 4, during a ceremony at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.

Cellon, who assumed command of 1 NCD June 29, visited NMCB 28 as part of a Middle East tour to visit forward deployed Seabees. He commented that it was, “a huge privilege to participate in this ceremony.â€

Harrison is a mobilized reservist Seabee serving in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq as part of the Naval Construction Force supporting the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. He suffered a Level III concussion March 11, while serving as a gunner in the lead vehicle of an NMCB 28 Convoy Security Element (CSE) team.

Harrison’s vehicle was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was set 10 meters from the road. Harrison was knocked unconscious by the explosion. He spent two days on limited duty and since then has completed more than 150 missions while still serving as the lead vehicle gunner.

When asked about the role of a CSE team, the Commanding Officer of NMCB 28, Cmdr. Craig Scharton, explained that their mission is critical.

“CSE teams perform a vital function, and one not normally associated with the Seabee construction mission,†said Scharton. “They are responsible for helping to maintain the free flow of personnel, supplies, and construction materials around the area of operations in theater.â€

The CSE Convoy Commander, Chief Construction Mechanic Stephen Lucia, has been greatly impressed by Harrison’s professionalism.

“His devotion to duty and the CSE team is not surpassed by anyone,†said Lucia. “He was selected to be truck one gunner because of his unrelenting, locked on attitude and commitment to carrying out every mission to the best of his abilities. I really appreciate all of his hard work. It has been a pleasure having him on my team.â€

Harrison’s work in the convoy has potentially saved lives.

"Harrison is considered the CSE's first line of defense against IEDs,†said Lt. Gerald Sachitano, Harrison’s company commander. “His keen eyesight and knowledge of the roads of Al Anbar Province have led to the finding of five IEDs to date. He is an outstanding example of a service member that proudly serves his nation and willingly accepts the danger before him to fight the [global] war on terrorism."

In December 1999, Harrison enlisted in the U.S. Army as an 11B Infantryman and later transferred to 31C Radio Operator. In 2003, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division and the 3rd Special Forces Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was honorably discharged from the Army in October 2006.

Later that month, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve through the CB-VET Construction Electrician program and affiliated with NMCB 28 in Baton Rouge, La. In his civilian career, Harrison works as an offshore surveyor.

NMCB 28 is part of more than 1,100 Sailors and Marines supporting critical construction efforts in the Al Anbar province of Iraq.

NMCB 28’s MSR Repair Team Keeps Convoys Rolling in Iraq

Story Number: NNS070809-21

Release Date: 8/9/2007 6:23:00 PM

By Lt. Michael Wilkinson, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Public Affairs

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq (NNS) -- The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 have been patching holes in the Main Supply Routes (MSR) and Alternate Supply Routes (ASR) so convoys can safely and quickly deliver critical materials and supplies to forces located along the frontlines since March.

Road systems in the far reaches of Iraq are in poor condition. With coalition forces hauling numerous heavy loads, the roadways can have considerable deterioration which can potentially give insurgents more hiding places for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s).

Most IED’s are discovered by route clearance teams and some are discovered by the convoys who call the Explosive Ordnance Disposal units to come and conduct controlled detonations to eliminate the threat.

NMCB 28 is responsible for conducting repairs on more than 80 kilometers of MSR. Marine support from Combat Logistic Battalion 2 and 1st Combat Engineer Battalion enable the Seabee team to go out and patch holes that are impeding convoy progress.

To make repairs, water is added to patch material, mixed and then poured into the prepped crater or pothole. The quick-setting mixture enables the road to be opened to traffic within minutes after the last bucket is poured.

“Every member of the team knows the dangers involved, but they willingly go out time after time to keep coalition [forces] convoys and the Iraqi people safe and moving,†said Equipment Operator 1st Class Jeffrey Binder, MSR repair team leader. “I couldn’t ask for a better group.â€

The youngest team member, Equipment Operator Constructionman Jorge Perez, is glad to be a part of the process.

“This assignment has really made the deployment worthwhile,†said Perez. “It’s good to get through with a mission and know you’ve made a difference. I like this job.â€

Knowledge may be the biggest asset these reservists bring to the fight. Equipment Operator 2nd Class David Grey has many years of experience working with concrete in the United States and his knowledge is invaluable to every mission.

Construction Mechanic 1st Class Theodore Williams tracks the team’s progress. He collects their work information for reporting to higher headquarters.

“My job is a small part of the MSR’s mission; however, if I drop the ball, their mission can get a whole lot harder,†said Williams who is responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of material to conduct operations.

The Route Repair mission has high priority and is being tracked by the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Engineering Department. Occasionally, the team will have a special passenger. Master Gunnery. Sgt. Keith Parshall is one of the driving forces behind the engineers’ efforts to keep these routes open.

“The effort is really two-fold,†said Parshall. “First, to keep the routes open and second to eliminate locations for placing IED’s and reduce that threat to our troops.â€

Despite the daunting challenge of attempting to repair the numerous kilometers of MSR and innumerable kilometers of ASR, the team is determined to go out time and time again to do the behind-the-scenes work to complete the mission.

“The success of this important engineer tasking is truly a result of coordinated security planning with supporting units allowing the Seabees of NMCB 28 to focus on the construction and repair of the roadways,†said NMCB 28’s operation officer Lt. Cmdr. Daryll Long. “The team has repaired more than 100 holes in the western Al Anbar province of Iraq since its implementation one month ago.â€

In addition to the route repair team based out of Al Asad, NMCB 28 has an identical team based out of Camp Fallujah that works on roadways in and around their area of responsibility.

NMCB 28 is part of more than 1,100 Sailors and Marines supporting critical construction efforts in the Al Anbar province of Iraq.

This is the beginning of Dad's army experience. Of course, his letters mean a great

deal to me because they're his - but I also think that ALL Vets letters give insights into

the sacrifices these "Citizen Soldiers" and their families made. Sacrifices that began as soon

as they put their uniforms on.

Most of "Our" WWII vets were children of immigrants who knew hardship themselves.

My grandfather arrived in the US with $10 and started work as an ironworker for Carnegie Steel in 1893 (not a fun job). There was no "workmans comp", no health insurance, and

no welfare programs. If you got injured/sick, you were in BIG trouble. Eventually, my grandpa

got a job as a coachman & chauffeur for a wool mill owner and, my dad (his first born)worked small

"jobs" earning extra money for the family. From a young age, he was cleaning out chicken coops and the horse barn on the estate & mowing lawns.

In 1941, they'd all just come through the Great Depression with it's fear & struggle to

survive. My father told me that he'd seen people eating out of garbage cans even in

the wealthy town of Wellesley. My grandpa had a large garden & fruit trees & would give

his produce to neighbors with extra mouths to feed. His niece told me that they were always

so glad to see "Uncle Mike" because he was the only one with a car & would drive over

& bring them beans & carrots & apples & pears.

I give all this as background, because most of these boys had never been away from home

before and, in addition to worrying about being in the Army, they had to worry about their

folks at home. In my Dad's case, his parents were 67 & 61 in 1941 and his father

was the sole support of the household which included his mother, sister Mary,

and brother Joe (the "baby" who was just 21). I honestly think that my Dad worried

more about THAT then anything else. Consequently, he sent all his Army pay home

(even though his mother told him not to).

I have the notice from local draft board #106 in Needham directing him to report

for physical examination and also the "notification of Acceptance For Induction

into the Army of THe U.S. " that was sent to his parents. It says: Francis J. Howard was

this date March 15, 1941 accepted for the Army of the United States and sent to Camp Edwards Mass.

His first letter was on Yankee Division 182nd Infantry stationaryon March 16, 1941:

Dear Ma,

We arrived at Camp Edwards about 7:30. We started getting examined at Columbus Ave

at 9 o'clock and this lasted till one, with a different bunch of fellows coming in all the time.

There were quite a few rejections. Those who had some disability were held up till about 2:30.

Some were let go immediately, others went to the base for another medical examination.

According to the papers, about 20% were rejected of our 500. Baird Hodkinson was the only one from our group that was rejected ( i think he has high blood pressure).

They are all a nice bunch of fellows here, all in the same boat. Some of them gave up good jobs. Herb Gebelein & John Leonard (WELLESEY BOYS) went down on the train with me

so i felt right at home. (Yea RIGHT DAD!)

Sunday is a quiet day here - getting up at 7, breakfast at 7:30, church at 9:30 and back again

to the bunkhouse for the rest of the afternoon. Tomorrow we get our uniforms.

They say they give you and awful lot of walking & drill. (LITTLE DID HE KNOW HOW MUCH).

Meals are served on these aluminum cups and plates - three which you use all the time.

When you arrive, you are furnished with a towel,razor, shaving brush, soap, and a toothbrush.

You can't imagine such a place! As far as your eye can see, are the camps. Each camp holds

about 60 men. The men seem to be in pretty good humor because they know they have to

put up with it - all being draftees. There are some fellows with us who look to be in the forties.

I don't know how soon this letter will get off because we can't get any stamps. The Post Office

is closed. Don't go by the heading on this stationary, it doesnt mean anything because we won't be in our regular quarters till tomorrow.

There is nothing else of much importance to say, so until you hear from or see me(maybe

saturday), I'll just say goodbye.

Love,

Francis

to YOU Dad!

There is a very sad reference to this place and what my father did there in his letters but I can't find any good information about what exactly happened there. Can anyone help?

You may've seen most of these before, but thought people might like to

see em again.

There are no atheists in foxholes.

Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't.

Tracers work both ways - US Army Ordnance

Try & look important, they may be low on ammo - Infantry Journal

When in doubt, empty the magazine.

When you're short of everything but the enemy, you're in combat.

When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is NOT our friend - Us Marines Corp

We are not retreating, we are advancing in another direction.

A slipping gear could let your grenade launcher fire when you least expect it.

That'd make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit.

Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.

5 second fuses only last 3 seconds - Infantry Journal

If the enemy is in range, so are you - Infantry Journal

If your attack is going too well, you've walked into an ambush - Infantry Journal

Look at an Infantryman's eyes and you can tell how much war he's seen

- Bill Mauldin 1944

It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed - Air Force Manual

Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.

Never trust a private with a loaded weapon or an officer with a map.

The easy way is always mined.

Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy someone else to shoot at.

WE SLEEP SAFELY IN OUR BEDS BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY IN THE

NIGHT TO VISIT VIOLENCE ON THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US - George Orwell

Hello, Marion:

I'm researching my daughter-in-law's father who was a Pfc in the 469th Engineer Maintenance Company from early 1943 through June 1945. An EMC just repaired the heavy equipment used by the combat engineers --- they didn't use it --- and generally worked on wrecked equipment as it went into a depot. Much of the time the 469th was very close to the 540th. I think their biggest claim to fame involves the various outboard motors that powered the rafts used to cross the Rhine.

In March 1945 they were assigned to the 1144th Engineer Combat Group, but the only web hit I get on the 1144th is from the 85th Heavy Ponton Company web site: the 1144th relieved the 85th at a floating bridge depot in Luneville on 19 March 1945.

Do you have any additional knowledge of the 1144th ECG? Maybe a link or two that isn't on your website?

Thanks,

Tom Morris

Greensboro, NC