7th Special Forces Gp 3rd BN Airborne SOTF-73 serial # 224 Army Challenge Coin January 6, 2023
7th Special Forces Group Airborne. Special Operations Task Force 73 (SOTF-73). Condition : Used and in good condition. This coin is 2 1/8 inches in diameter. RELEASE NUMBER: 070221-01 DATE POSTED: FEBRUARY 21, 2007 SOF Soldiers honored By Spc. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office FORT BRAGG, N. USASOC News Service, Feb. 21, 2007 – 39 Special Forces Soldiers were honored in an awards ceremony at Ritz-Epps Fitness Center, Fort Bragg, N. 21 for valorous actions during 2006 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom campaigns. Robert Wagner, commanding General of U. Army Special Operations Command, presented two Silver Stars, one Soldier’s Medal, 11 Bronze Stars for Valor, 19 Purple Hearts, 22 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation to members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). “This valor award ceremony is not only about recognizing the great accomplishments of the Soldiers before you, but it’s also to pass on to a new generation of Special Forces Soldiers and young Americans a knowledge of the sacrifices and bravery displayed by the generation that preceded them, ” said Col. 7th SFG (Airborne) commander. The young children here today will not understand now, but one day they will realize that their brave fathers believed that America as a nation and an ideal is worth fighting for and at times, dieing for. In Afghanistan, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (Airborne) Soldiers were integrated into a joint task force, named Special Operations Task Force 73. The SOTF-73 had an extensive list of accomplishments from 2006, including training 2,500 Afghan soldiers, conducting over 2,300 combat missions, and neutralizing 1,178 enemy fighters. “(They) have proven time and time again that (they) will not allow insurgent leadership to regain control of Afghanistan, ” Reeder said. (They) were responsible for not only giving Afghans a better tomorrow but also keeping terror off of our soil and for that we owe a debt of gratitude. Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (Airborne) Soldiers deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The company conducted 186 direct action operations to capture and kill high value targets, resulting in 200 personnel captured and over 50 enemy personnel killed. “The Soldiers awarded today certainly could not have foreseen the life-changing events that were about to happen as they prepared for combat operations, ” said Reeder. Two of the Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, CW2 Angel DeJesus and Staff Sgt. Erasmo Espino, were awarded the Silver Star for Valor in recognition of their actions during a May 19, 2006 ambush. When their detachment was attacked by 150-200 enemy fighters, they orchestrated a fighting escape, saving many lives. “I think that this medal goes to my whole team, ” DeJesus said. They are my family; without them, it would never have happened. I just did something for my brothers that they would have done for me. DeJesus said that he was proud that his wife and daughter could see him receive the award but felt that he didn’t deserve such an honor because he was only doing what had to be done. Never personally given any of the coins. All coins are guaranteed to be in excellent condition unless otherwise specified above. The free listing tool. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\Current Militaria (2001-Now)\Original Items\Challenge Coins”. The seller is “rolyat11″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.