FORT SILL, Okla. (Oct. 23, 2014) -- In February 2011 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan, field artilleryman Staff Sgt. Chas Schroeder and his fellow Soldiers were outside enjoying some downtime.
Suddenly, an enemy 107mm rocket exploded within 30 feet of Schroeder, who was a howitzer section chief. The Soldiers got into a bunker and grabbed their gear to do a counter-fire mission.
About four minutes later, a second rocket struck about 8 feet from Schroeder hitting an ammunition bunker injuring several Soldiers.
"I saw my Soldier and he started to scream; he was holding his head and I knew it was bad. My other Soldiers started to fall down," said Schroeder, who was with the C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery. "I had to take care of them first."
The sergeant began to administer first aid. It wasn't until about one hour later that he realized he sustained shrapnel wounds, and was later diagnosed with the effects of traumatic brain injury.
For his combat injuries, now-Drill Sergeant Schroeder, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th FA, was awarded the Purple Heart Medal Oct. 17 here. Dozens of his Basic Combat Training Soldiers, fellow drill sergeants, 434th FA Brigade cadre, family and friends attended the 9 a.m. ceremony to honor him.
Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, presented the medal to Schroeder. The general said the medal was not just about getting wounded, but about leadership and performing the Army Values.
"What you did that day is a reflection of your values, your selfless service and doing your duty," Rossi said. The general said Schroeder executed the Soldier's Creed that day by taking care of his Soldiers first.
"You did what a sergeant is supposed to do, you did what a Soldier is supposed to do," the general said. "That's what you're going to be remembered for."
Schroeder's wife, Army, said she was proud of her husband and that he deserved the recognition.
"The award signifies, like the general was saying, his code of duty and what kind of Soldier he is," she said.
Schroeder has been a drill sergeant for eight months in the same unit that where he was a recruit in Oct. 2006. He said he tells his BCT Soldiers about his combat experience.
"I can give them personal stories about living through combat and getting hurt and doing our job over there (deployed) to help motivate them in their training and to make it more realistic for them," he said.
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