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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Master Sgt. Phil Speck, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A combat controller from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony here March 14 for meritorious service while deployed to Afghanistan.
Senior Airman Robert Willging served with a combined joint special operations task force in Afghanistan from June 1 to Nov. 1, 2014 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During that deployment, Willging assisted in the planning and execution of more than 100 combat patrols and served with lead maneuver elements while coordinating aerial weapons teams, close air support and medical evacuation operations.
Willging personally controlled more than 120 aircraft during multiple day operations, to include combined operations with Afghan National Army Commandos in which he controlled, de-conflicted and engaged with 24 aircraft to ensure the safety of all ground elements, according to the award citation.
“Airman Willging’s utilization and control of aerial weapons teams, close air support, and medical evacuation platforms was second to none, and aided in the timely extraction of multiple wounded Afghan National Security Forces and (U.S. Special Operations Forces),” the citation said.
The Bronze Star Medal was authorized by executive order on Feb. 4, 1944, and is awarded to service members who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Adams III pins the Bronze Star Medal to the coat of Hubert D. Jasper, a WWII Veteran in Nicholasville, Ky., March 30, 2015. Jasper never received the awards following his return from Europe after the war in 1945. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard assisted a local family recently to ensure a World War II Veteran received the recognition he deserved.
Hubert D. Jasper lives in Paris, Kentucky. In 1943, he was inducted into the Army and for the next two years fought his way across Europe in some of the largest campaigns of the war. Thanks to the diligent work of his daughter, the help of a Congressman and the Kentucky Guard, Jasper was awarded his long-overdue decorations in a ceremony in Nicholasville, March 30, 2015.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Adams III, Chief of the Joint Staff for the Kentucky Guard served as the officiating officer for the ceremony at which Jasper received several awards including the Bronze Star and the Knight of The Legion of Honor medal from France.
“It is extremely important for us as a nation to pay homage to those who came before us and to show the respect they deserve for their contributions,” said Adams.
Congressman Andy Barr congratulates Hubert D. Jasper, following an awards ceremony honoring Jasper in Nicholasville, Ky., March 30, 2015. Congressman Barr was on hand to present the French Knight of The Legion of Honor medal to Jasper. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
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Jasper served with a mortar platoon as part of the First Army, Ninth Division, landing at Utah Beach 1o days after D-Day. He would fight in three of the four campaigns to liberate France and was among the first American Soldiers to assist with driving the German Army from Belgium. In 1944, Jasper and the Ninth Division were involved the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, only to advance into the Battle of the Bulge during that winter, a streak of some of the most fierce fighting in Europe..
In May, 1945, the war in Europe ended, but not before Jasper had helped carry a 135-pound mortar and equipment more than 600 miles, fighting their way to Germany.
After the war, Jasper returned to the U.S. and his job as a store manager for J.J. Newberry’s department store. He would manage stores from Tennessee, throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania. He also returned to his wife of four years, Opal and his son. He quickly immersed himself back into civilian life and according to family members, didn’t speak much about his experience in the war.
Many years later, upon reading an article of another WWII Veteran receiving his due awards, Jasper inquired of his own. His daughter, Mary Carolyn Jasper did a majority of the leg work in researching her father’s service.
The awards of Hubert D. Jasper, a WWII Veteran, await the official presentation to Jasper at an awards ceremony in Nicholasville, Ky., March 30, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“I have been honored to be able to work with my dad to secure these medals and the recognition he deserves, my brothers and I always knew he was such a special person,” said Mary Carolyn. “After I have talked with him about where he fought, what he did and the conditions he endured in the war, I am even more impressed with the man that is my father.”
Congressman Andy Barr, the grandson of a World War II Veteran, was on hand to present the French Knight of The Legion of Honor medal which is the highest honor bestowed by France to those who assisted in liberating the country during World War II.
One final award, a local tradition, certified Jasper as an official Kentucky Colonel.
Adams called Jasper and his fellow Soldiers, the rock upon which current Service members have built the standards of going beyond the call of duty.
“It was a privilege for me to honor a member of the greatest generation,” said Adams. “The Kentucky National Guard is proud to be involved in this long-overdue recognition and to celebrate the service of Pfc. Jasper.”
By Sgt. Scott Raper, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Stephen Hogan presents a Bronze Star certificate to 1st Sgt. Timothy McClish during a ceremony held in Richmond, Ky., Nov. 2011. McClish was recognized for his heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2006. (Courtesy photo)
RICHMOND, Ky. — On May 21, 2006, half the world away from home, a Kentucky Guardsman heroically distinguished himself under heavy fire during the course of a four-hour battle near a village called Tizney in southern Afghanistan. For his courageous actions, 1st Sgt. Timothy McClish was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for Valor.
McClish was presented the medal in November of 2011, after years of waiting for the Army to authorize the award. Brig. Gen. Stephen R. Hogan was on hand to pin the medal during a ceremony at the Richmond Armory. Congressman Ben Chandler also attended the event to support the Kentucky hero.
“I am truly humbled by the award,” said McClish. “Being recognized by senior leaders and peers will rank very high for me because I always want people to know I will always be there for them, no matter what.”
McClish’s actions came during a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005-2006 while serving as the Senior Office Mentor for an Embedded Training Team with Task Force Phoenix. He deployed as a contingent from the 2nd Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade. His team was attached to an Afghan National Army (ANA) unit when they came under fire in the Baghran Valley of Helmond Province. In his role as a trainer, McClish took positive control of his Afghan counterparts and effectively reacted and responded to the threat. According to his award citation, McClish’s “tactical and technical expertise ensured the unit’s success in an extremely hazardous situation.”
1st Sgt. Timothy McClish and his wife, Lisa, stand with Congressman Ben Chandler during an award ceremony in Richmond, Ky., Nov. 2011. Congressman Chandler attended in support of McClish's awarding of the Bronze Star for valorous actions in Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)
McClish has worn the Army uniform in the Kentucky National Guard for 25 years. Currently he serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the drug eradication program and rappel master with Joint Support Operations. He also holds the position of first sergeant for the 301st Chemical Company in Morehead, Ky. That is where he continues to lead by example, utilizing his experience to pass his values on to younger generations of Kentucky Guardsmen.
“…Loyalty and commitment, to yourself and especially the people around you, them having the confidence to know that you are always behind them,” he said. “Through my experience, loyalty has always been what I live by, and hope to carry on.”
The Bronze Star Medal is the country’s fourth highest award for heroism and meritorious service. Since the War on Terror began in 2001, over 400 Bronze Stars have been awarded to the men and women of the Kentucky National Guard. Of that number, only 20 have been awarded for Valor.
By Maj. Dale Greer, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Kentucky’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini (right), presents Tech. Sgt. Matthew D. Basanta of the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron with a Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony held Nov. 20, 2011, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Basanta earned the combat decoration for his exceptionally meritorious service while deployed to Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flora)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s adjutant general presented three members of the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron with Bronze Star Medals here Nov. 20 for their outstanding service while deployed to Afghanistan as Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists.
Before an audience of nearly 1,000 Airmen in the Fuel Cell Hangar, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini pinned the distinctive, five-point stars on the battle uniforms of Tech. Sgt. Matthew D. Basanta, Tech. Sgt. Matthew J. Meuser and Tech. Sgt. Robert L. Woods.
All three Airmen were EOD team leaders who spent six months clearing the Afghan countryside of enemy ordnance and neutralizing scores of Improvised Explosive Devices buried in roads and other public spaces.
“The achievements of these three Kentucky Air Guardsmen exemplify the highest standards of duty, honor and bravery,” said Col. Greg Nelson, commander of their parent unit, the 123rd Airlift Wing.
Kentucky’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini (right), presents Tech. Sgt. Matthew J. Meuser of the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron with a Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony held Nov. 20, 2011, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Meuser earned the combat decoration for his exceptionally meritorious service while deployed to Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flora)
“Working tirelessly in some of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan, they conducted daily Explosive Ordnance Disposal missions at great risk to their own lives so that coalition forces could operate safely and effectively. Whether they were disabling IEDs along more than 600 miles of roads or conducting patrols under constant threat of attack, Sergeants Basanta, Meuser and Woods aided the war effort immeasurably, saving the lives of coalition forces by neutralizing one of the enemy’s most insidious weapons.
“They truly represent the best qualities of the United States Air Force, the Kentucky Air National Guard and the 123rd Airlift Wing. I’m proud to serve with them.”
The Bronze Star is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement in connection with non-aerial military operations against an armed enemy.
Basanta distinguished himself while assigned to 466th Operating Location Alpha, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin-East, Forward Operating Base Ghanzi, Afghanistan, from Feb. 23 to Aug. 23, 2011.
During that time, Basanta executed 40 EOD combat missions throughout Ghanzi Province, completing 16 route patrols that cleared more than 600 miles of roads, according to the narrative that accompanies his award citation. He also participated in four named operations that destroyed two enemy caches containing 2,400 pounds of explosives.
In two separate instances, Basanta removed 200-pound IEDs from culverts by approaching to within hands’ reach, attaching ropes and pulling them free so they could be remotely disrupted without causing damage to Afghanistan’s most strategic highway.
Kentucky’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini (right), presents Tech. Sgt. Robert L. Woods of the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron with a Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony held Nov. 20, 2011, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky. Woods earned the combat decoration for his exceptionally meritorious service while deployed to Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flora)
He also provided valuable insight into enemy tactics, safely disrupting two IEDs by deciphering their initiation systems and intended targets. His surgical disruption techniques and detailed exploitation resulted in flash reports to the field, alerting coalition forces and Afghan National Security forces to new threats, the narrative said.
Meuser distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to 466th Explosive Ordnance Flight Bravo, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin-South, Kandahar, Afghanistan, from Aug. 25, 2010 to Feb. 22, 2011.
During that time, Meuser led a three-person team on more than 72 combat missions covering the 675-square-kilometer Ground Defense Area surrounding Kandahar Air Field, according to the narrative that accompanies his award citation. He responded to and rendered safe 15 IEDs and destroyed over 3,000 legacy unexploded ordnance and enemy weapons cache items, thus limiting the IED threat and reducing the number-one insurgent weapon used against International Security Assistance Force troops.
Notably, Meuser led his team during named operations in support of British Regimental Forces and U.S. Army Scouts who infiltrated two compounds suspected of harboring known IED facilitators responsible for 40 indirect fire attacks on Kandahar Air Field. His team meticulously cleared areas identified as IED threats, enabling the successful capture of the primary objective, the narrative said.
Additionally, Mueser was pivotal in the disposal of more than 50,000 pounds of excess or dangerously unserviceable North Atlantic Treaty Organization munitions, allowing logistics resources to focus on battlefield resupply and saving the United States millions of dollars in redeployment costs.
Woods distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service while also assigned to 466th Explosive Ordnance Flight Bravo, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin-South, Kandahar, Afghanistan, from Aug. 25, 2010 to Feb. 22, 2011.
During that time, Woods led 42 combat missions that rendered safe, recovered, destroyed or exploited numerous IEDs, unexploded ordnance and weapons caches, according to the narrative that accompanies his award citation. He also conducted post-blast analysis missions throughout Regional Command-South, collecting evidence that was instrumental in the detention of two bomb-making facilitators in Kandahar Province.
Woods’ expertise was evident when he devised and implemented an innovative safing procedure against a dud-fired, rocket-propelled grenade that lodged in the door of an armored troop-transport vehicle during a route-clearing mission, the narrative said. After Woods neutralized the ordnance, he meticulously analyzed the remaining vehicles in the convoy and discovered two more that were contaminated with ordnance residue. His resulting actions minimized the potential for damage and preserved more than $2 million in combat vehicles for future operations, releasing critical life-saving resources back into the fight.
Woods also effectively evaluated, safed and destroyed more than three tons of explosive remnants of war, thereby preventing their use against coalition forces.
The three Bronze Star recipients are among the hundreds of Kentucky Air National Guardsmen who have been mobilized worldwide in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn during the past decade. The unit has deployed personnel overseas more than 3,400 times since Sept. 11, 2001.
