A convoy of the Army Reserve’s 420th Engineer Brigade was making its way through the volatile Paktika province on May 21, with Hutchinson manning a gun turret on a Humvee, when Taliban fighters opened fire from surrounding hills. Hutchinson laid down heavy fire on insurgents, and unloaded a bevy of grenades, while coming under withering fire (his turret endured more than 100 bullet strikes). Near the end of the battle, two rocket-propelled grenades struck Hutchinson’s Humvee, throwing him from the vehicle and leaving his right leg shredded with shrapnel. Despite his wounds, he administered first aid to another soldier suffering from a serious head wound.

 

Hutchinson was shipped home to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he underwent multiple surgeries to repair his leg and learn how to walk again. The Army credited him for helping all 17 members of his convoy survive the ambush, and he was rewarded with the Army’s third highest honor: the Silver Star. Only four other reservists in the history of the Army have ever been given the medal.

 

Hutchinson and his fiancé spent this year’s Fourth of July celebration at the White House, as guests of President Barack Obama, for a cookout and fireworks.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Texas Reservist Honored for Afghan Ambush (by Bryan Mitchell, Military.com)

Specialist David R. Hutchinson (Heroes, Department of Defense) (PDF)