Charles Michael Padgett II

Submission by Charles Michael Padgett II

I am thankful to have been able to serve my country honorably and be part of a TEAM. We dodged many bullets and IED’s on our deployment to Iraq in ‘06-‘07 “The Surge”. The medal that nobody wants was awarded, after many years of struggling with TBI’s. The invisible wound many carry, is why I have such a passion for these who walk amongst us.
Wildcat elements from C 2/123 AR were attached to the 1-167 RSTA/ 34th ID and were an integral support element to the 1BCT - 101st Airborne out of LSA Anaconda, FOB Speicher and Taji. Grunts being attached to tankers was a “rub” at first, but we eventually became a family from Kansas, Kentucky & the “IRR Crew”. Being SCOUTS, our job was to go out in front of patrols and search for IED’s. We had a very kinetic time during our deployment. Wildcat elements engaged in many TICs, as well as finding various types of roadside bombs. These included EFPs, RC, “Daisy Chain” and pressure switch IEDs. Our company tally was 44, but we know there are many others unaccounted for that did not make “REPORTS”…. Countless AAR’s and notes amongst SCOUTS had us over the 70 found, but “Officially” the tally was 44.I am constantly amazed at how you get so many motivated “kids” from all walks of life and different backgrounds to fight. We were all there to fight for our nation regardless of skin tone, music we listened to or clothes we wore. There was never racism in a foxhole and the countless stories of good times versus bad overwhelms me at times. I hope to be able to spread more PATRIOTISM by just being a proud American. The times we are living in behooves us to wave our flag even longer and that much higher.

U.S. Marine Corps SGT C.M. Padgett

Purple Heart Recipient - Operation Iraqi Freedom