Press Release - Thursday, May 05, 2005
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QUINN SALUTES 1ST RESERVIST TO RECEIVE SILVER STAR IN GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM Illinois Native, U.S. Army Specialist Jeremy Church
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn today saluted U.S. Army Specialist Jeremy Church, the first reservist in the Global War on Terrorism to receive the prestigious Silver Star. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Church received the Army’s third highest medal of valor for his heroism that saved the lives of nine people during an ambush in Iraq.
“Today we salute a real hero,” Quinn said. “In the face of incredible danger, Specialist Church risked his own life to save five of his fellow soldiers and four civilians. His bravery is an example for us all.”
On April 9, 2004, a month into their year-long deployment, Church and his fellow soldiers with the 724th Transportation Company were transporting fuel to an airport in Baghdad when their convoy was attacked five miles outside of their destination.
During the ambush, Church’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Matt Brown, was injured and Church took over. Driving the lead vehicle one-handed and firing his M-16 out the window at insurgents, Church lead the 26-vehicle convoy for four miles – around flaming cars and through a hail of bullets and shrapnel –into a secured perimeter.
Once there, Church carried Brown out of the vehicle for immediate medical evacuation. Then, Church rallied his fellow soldiers and returned to the firefight on foot. Exposing himself to enemy fire, Church immediately began administering first aid to wounded soldiers and civilians.
With no room for him on the trip to safety, Church waited ten minutes under constant enemy fire for the vehicle to return.
The attack that day was the single-largest enemy attack on a U.S. convoy in Iraq. In all, 14 were wounded and two soldiers and six civilians were killed in action. Only six people walked away unharmed.
Church returned home in February, 2005. Undeterred by his experience in Iraq, Church has signed up for another six-year stint in the United States Army Reserves.
Quinn was joined by Church’s parents, Kirk and Sandy Hawkins and his grandmother, Bonnie Magway. Church’s girlfriend, Brandy Finney, was also in attendance.
The Silver Star was established in 1918 and is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Army, is cited for gallantry in military action.
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