Sunday, September 4
Lt. earns Silver Star for actions in Ba’qubah battle
| After leading his platoon through a fierce onslaught, enemy fire pounding them from every direction, 1st Lt. Neil Prakash went back in for more. His actions on that June day brought Maj. Gen. John Batiste, to Forward Operating Base Scunion Jan. 14 to award the 24-year-old tank platoon leader one of the military’s highest honors -- the Silver Star Medal. Batiste said. “He sets a very high standard for every one of us. I guarantee veterans of the past are standing very tall right now.” After spending all night June 23 and the next morning patrolling and setting up observation posts, Prakash's 1st platoon pulled in to Forward Operating Base Scunion at about 10 a.m. when he learned the city was under siege. Parakash’s 1st platoon was in the lead. Their mission: to seize and secure a set of twin bridges and set up a blocking position to prevent the enemy from reinforcing. During the action, Prakash spent several hours under fire as the lead vehicle, taking the brunt of the attack. When enemy fire disabled his tank’s turret, he maneuvered the entire vehicle in order to engage the enemy with the main weapon system and .50-caliber machinegun. “Looking out of the hatch, I’m just spraying guys and they’re just falling,” said Prakash. “They would just drop – no blood, no nothing. We just keep rolling, getting shot at from everywhere.” By battle’s end, Prakash's platoon was responsible for 25 confirmed destroyed enemy and an estimated 50 to 60 additional destroyed enemy fighters. Prakash was personally credited with the destruction of eight enemy strong-points, one enemy resupply vehicle, and multiple dismounted enemy fighters. “He led the way,” said Alpha Company Commander Capt. Paul Fowler. “He’s a pleasure to command, because he doesn’t require very much direction. He uses his own judgment and he’s simply an outstanding young lieutenant.” |
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