CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq - A Mississippi Army National Guardsman serving at Contingency Operating Location Q-West received a letter of recognition from the Deputy Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division Dec. 30.
Staff Sgt. Donavan Smith - a Taylorsville, Miss., native and non-commissioned officer in charge of maintenance with A Company, 106th Brigade Support Battalion, headquartered in Magee, Miss., and attached to 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, out of Senatobia, Miss. - received the letter from Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue, II, after being chosen Task Force Marne Hero of the North on Dec. 20 for outstanding performance during a vehicle recovery mission.
"I wanted to send a short note to give you my personal thanks for your accomplishments in defense of our country," Donahue wrote. "Your tremendous abilities and dedication are of great credit to you, the 106th BSB, and Task Force Marne. We are all proud of you."
Smith was surprised by all the attention.
"I'm honored to be recognized, but I just done my job," said Smith. "And it wasn't just me. Everybody was helpful, doing anything I asked them to do."
During a Nov. 27 convoy escort mission from Forward Operating Base Warrior to Q-West, a civilian truck and trailer rolled over, spilling a generator, and a Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected truck broke down, according to a citation commending his actions.
Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Johnson, company motor sergeant and native of Brookhaven, Miss., praised Smith's performance.
"Staff Sgt. Smith supervised the vehicle recoveries with complete competence and professionalism, using meager assets," said Johnson. "Smith is a firm and determined leader, and he performed very well during this mission, as he always does."
According the citation, Smith upturned the civilian truck, offloaded the trailer and attached it to the spare civilian bobtail, a tractor used for such contingencies. Smith used the tow bar of another MRAP to hook to the disabled MRAP, having it ready to move, and then turned to the civilian cargo. Once the quick reaction recovery team arrived, Smith aided them in loading the spilled cargo onto a Heavy Equipment Transport Truck. Moreover, in route to Q-West, Smith coached via radio the MRAP driver towing the broken vehicle through the mountain pass and back to Q-West.
Capt. Bradley Hollingsworth, Smith's company commander and a Florence, Miss., native, said that Smith's actions made the mission successful.
"He worked in a timely manner, directly resulting in the convoy reaching its destination in a safe, timely manner and with minimal security halts," said Hollingsworth. "Staff Sgt. Smith is constantly working behind the scenes, when not on a convoy, to ensure vehicles are in top condition to avoid mechanical issues while on missions."
To recognize these accomplishments, Lt. Col. Kerry Goodman, commander of the 2/198th CAB, awarded Smith an Impact Army Achievement Medal.
"One of my greatest pleasures as a commander is to recognize outstanding achievement," said Goodman, a native of Quitman, Miss., residing in Meridian, Miss. "Staff Sgt. Smith had a significant impact on completing the mission. He has raised the level of performance of those around him."
Smith said his civilian profession and military training gave him the skills necessary for recovery missions.
"I'm a rigger and crane operator on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, so I know how to rig equipment," said Smith. "Plus, I've been to the Army's recovery school, and I was raised on a farm, working a lot by myself. But like I said, it was a team effort, and my mechanic, Spec. Joseph Morgan, helped a lot. I couldn't have done it without him."
Morgan, a native of Seminary, Miss., said he learned some new skills during the recovery.
"Trying to consider the best way to upright the truck and generator it was hauling was challenging," said Morgan, "but we finally figured it out. My job assisting involved helping Staff Sgt. Smith make all connections and operating our recovery vehicle while
he monitored the progress as well as giving directions."
Morgan said he finds his job very rewarding.
"When I get home, I can honestly say my job was worthwhile," said Morgan. "I am able to say I was part of the best maintenance shop in Northern Iraq. After all, Staff Sgt. Smith, a 'Marne Hero of the North,' is my squad leader."
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