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Cpl. Carl Sampson CW3 Michael Wells LCpl. Justin McLeese Sgt. Jeffrey Lynn Kirk
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams Cpl. Matthew Cole Spc. Russell Kyle Burleson Spc. Christopher Vining
Sgt. Christopher Ramsey Sfc. Michael McNaughton Sgt. John Aaron Blanchard LCpl. Ryan McCurdy
Sgt. Sammy Anderson Sgt. Jonathan Reed Lt. Christopher Barnett Pfc. David Burridge
Cpl. David Bear Stewart Sfc. Kurt Comeaux Spc. Matthew King Cpl. Michael Savoie
Cpl. Jacob Schick LCpl. Hardy Mills IV
Bravo Company, 2-5, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, Texas Specialist Kyle Burleson deployed to Iraq in March of 2004. He was seriously wounded in action and tells of his experience in his own words. "On the 18th of August 2004, while on patrol, we were engaged in a firefight by insurgents. I was the top gunner on a HumVee and was hit by enemy fire in my left cheek and the round exited out the right side of my neck. The fragments of the round and bone damaged my spinal cord, and I am paralyzed from my neck down (like Christopher Reeve). I stayed in Baghdad for few days, while they stabilized my condition, and then air-evacuated me to the Army Medical Center at Landstuhl Germany. After a period of time in Germany, I was the flown to Washington, DC and admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center for further operations on my neck. My mother "Tammy" experienced her first travel by air, and the Army brought her to Washington, DC on the 23rd of August for my support and morale. My wife was flown to Washington, DC, but shortly had to return to Fort Hood, due to her pregnancy and delivery date for Alexander. On the 25th of October, I was air-evacuated to the Dallas VA Medical Center, Spinal Cord Injury Center. Here, I will start the physical therapy process, while Tammy and Kristy are trained in the operation and maintenance of all of my life support equipment. During the Family Conference, the doctor stated that our lives would not be just 24/7, but would require 25/8 effort for Kyle." Kyle Burleson is 21 years old. He is married to Kristy and they have two children, aged 2 and 6 months. Specialist Burleson is the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His selfless sacrifice for his comrades and his country is remarkable. His valor is inspirational.
