ARMY

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	Army Cutting 50,000 Soldiers



KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Aug. 29, 2011 -- For Staff Sgt. Chris Ackley, a civil affairs specialist with the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team, helping others is starting to become a trend. Ackley provided medical care to Soldiers and a civilian after sustaining injuries from a grenade attack during a mission in the Sabari District Aug. 15. This is the second event in which he used his medical skills to aid others, having helped save an Afghan woman's life after she suffered a gunshot wound July 6. "I was at the right place at the wrong time," Ackley said. The mission the afternoon of Aug. 15 for Ackley and Khowst PRT Civil Affairs officer in charge U.S. Army 1st Lt. Andrew Docksey, was to conduct engagements with the elders and citizens of Majies Village. Soldiers from 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, and the Afghan National Army, pushed out at 2:30 p.m. to carry out their task. After more than three hours of engaging the locals, the team returned to their vehicles for the ride back to their headquarters at Combat Outpost, or COP, Sabari. However, before they reached the vehicles two grenades were lobbed over a nearby wall, one bouncing off the radio telephone operator's back and the other landing 20 feet from Ackley. The team scattered and took up defensive positions. After the grenades exploded, the team started to take small arms fire from an unseen enemy. During the fire fight, Ackley said he was struck by shrapnel. Ignoring the pain, he aided the team in securing the area, enabling the wounded to find cover in a nearby house. "The (infantry) training many of [us] had gone through really came into play," said Docksey. "We knew to move right away and what to do when recovering." Once they secured their defensive perimeter, Ackley jumped in to help the combat medic in treating the wounded, which included two Soldiers and a civilian reporter. One of the Soldiers had shrapnel wounds all over his back, legs and feet, according to Ackley. "He got the brunt of the blast from the grenade," Ackley said. The attackers fled into the hills after the attack. After taking stock of the situation, the team decided to convoy back to COP Sabari, and receive medical treatment there. After initial assessment and treatment, Ackley was airlifted to a facility able to provide a higher level of care. "I pretty much got stripped naked and thrown onto the (helicopter) with an emergency blanket so my butt was to the wind," he said. Ackley said he never thought twice about providing aid while ignoring his own medical needs. "I did my job as a medic," Ackley said. "I could still walk, although it hurt to bend down and move. Other people needed (medical) attention. I was capable helping the doc out -- so I did." Docksey was especially impressed with Ackley's actions. "What Sergeant Ackely did to ignore his own wounds to help others showed he was focused on helping the other guys," he said. "He kept doing what he could do to help out; not focusing on his pain until everybody else had been helped."	True Story ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Aug. 23, 2011 -- More than 40 years ago, 1st Lt. Robert C. Berkshire earned a Bronze Star for valor in Vietnam. On his way home in 1971, Berkshire's duffel bag was stolen -- in the duffel bag was his Bronze Star. He never saw his medal again. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1971, Berkshire never said anything to his family or friends about the loss of his award. However, about a year ago, the subject of his military career came up while he was talking with David Kurk, a friend and fellow employee in the laboratory at the U.S. Army Public Health Command. Berkshire told his friend about the loss of his Bronze Star and showed him the certificate from the award. Berkshire explained that in June 1970 he and his platoon flanked and destroyed an enemy position, and under heavy fire he had also directed a medical evacuation of two platoon members. Kurk was determined to see if he could help his friend be recognized for his heroic actions during the operation in Vietnam and replace his stolen medal. Working with Berkshire's daughter, Alyson Berkshire, Kurk took action to have his friend recognized before Robert Berkshire retired from civilian service. "No one in the family had heard about dad's Bronze Star," explained Alyson Berkshire. "My parents have always been my heroes, and I wanted to make sure Dad could be honored as one." Working with USAPHC Command Sgt. Maj. Gerald C. Ecker, Alyson Berkshire and Kurk provided the supporting paperwork necessary to secure a replacement Bronze Star. Lovetta Britton, command protocol officer, assisted by arranging a surprise award ceremony. On Aug. 17, Brig. Gen. Timothy K. Adams, USAPHC commander, hosted the award ceremony to honor Berkshire's heroism. Robert Berkshire was told his daughter was receiving an award and was invited to participate in recognizing her. Addressing Robert Berkshire, Adams said, "I understand you were in the Army and served in Vietnam, and I heard that you also lost something." Robert Berkshire, still unaware of the surprise presentation, thought Adams was referring to his recent hip surgery and replied, "Yes, I lost a piece of my hip." Adams then explained that Robert Berkshire would receive a Bronze Star to replace the one stolen from him more than 40 years before. "Your service to our country should be remembered and celebrated," said Adams. "It is my privilege to give you this award for your service." Berkshire was visibly stunned by the commander's words and the standing ovation from friends, family and coworkers who attended the award presentation. "For you (Adams) and everyone else to work so hard in replacing the medal that was so precious to me and that I thought I would never see again, I was basically speechless," Robert Berkshire said. "Please accept my deepest gratitude for your gracious act." Ecker summed up the event by saying, "When an act of selfless service to our nation has been fulfilled, it is never too late to render honors and gratitude for the service."