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All-American Pilot Receives DFC
(March 18, 2011) |
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. (3/14/2011) – The 82nd Airborne
"All-American" Divison commander presented the Distinguished
Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Carlos M. Roman, at
Simmons Army Airfield, March 14, for his actions while
serving in Afghanistan with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. |
Chief Warrant Officer Carlos M. Roman, a Fayetteville, N.C., native, is awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross by Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, at Simmons Army Airfield, March 14, 2011.
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Soldiers, family members and
friends gathered to honor Roman, an AH-64D
Apache helicopter pilot who now serves with the
1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat
Aviation Brigade, as Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins,
the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne
Division, pinned his award.
The medal,
which is America's oldest military aviation
award, is awarded to a service member who
distinguishes himself by heroism or
extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight.
“This happens more than we
recognize, in that ordinary people do
extraordinary things,” Huggins said. “That's
what this service is all about.” |
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On Oct. 30, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom with the 3rd CAB, Roman answered the call for help
in response to a close combat attack request in support of
the ground troops of 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment
during a fire fight near Marga in eastern Afghanistan's
Paktika province. Instead of remaining at an altitude out of
small arms range once they arrived at the scene of the
attack, Roman and his crewmember descended in order to
positively identify and engage the armed insurgents.
“I wasn't scared, I just wanted to make sure I was shooting
the right people,” said the Fayetteville, N.C., native.
His rapid response, superior situational awareness and
exemplary airmanship resulted in the safe recovery of all
friendly forces and successful destruction of more than 80
enemy personnel. His actions saved the lives of countless
American soldiers and were critical in defeating the enemy.
“He answered in the most heroic way that a person could,
putting his own self in harm's way for the good of others,”
Huggins said. “And, that's about the noblest thing, I think,
that can occur in mankind.”
Nobility is not the only
virtue this pilot possesses, as he was rather humble about
his prestigious award.
“I never fly for awards,”
Roman said.
Perhaps this humility comes with the
job.
“Ordinary people that do extraordinary things,
that's what this uniform is all about,” Huggins said. |
By Army SSgt. Jill People
82ND Combat Aviation Brigade
Copyright 2011 |
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Provided
through DVIDS
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