Community Corner

Honoring Our Troops: Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilczek

Dacula resident awarded Silver Star while serving in Iraq.

In 2006, life changed drastically. Wilczek was serving in Ramadi, Iraq with the 506th Infantry Regiment out of Fort Campbell, Ky.

In March of that year, Wilczek and his squad were ambushed on the way back from a mission.

“We were pinned down in the street and needed to get to cover,” Wilczek wrote in an emailed response to questions. “My squad responded by returning fire and getting the wounded into some houses that were on the street.”

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Wilczek and his men performed first aid, set up fighting positions and continued returning fire. Upon realizing several members of the squad were still pinned down, Wilczek and others went back out into the street to bring the rest of the squad to safety.

By the time the day was over, two squad members had been killed and four were injured.

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Wilczek and two other members of his squad were awarded the Silver Star for their actions. According to the citation, Wilczek was awarded the Silver Star “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on 13 March 2006, at Ramadi, Iraq. On that date, Staff Sergeant Wilczek distinguished himself as a member of Task Force Currahee, risking his own life numerous times to come to the aid of his comrades.”

One week later, his military career ended when he was shot through the right ankle by a 7.62 rifle round. As a result of his injury, Wilczek endured numerous operations and a lengthy rehabilitation before being medically retired.

Though he has returned to civilian life, Wilczek has not forgotten his former comrade in arms and asks that everyone remember the men and women who are still overseas.

“No matter what the news says, [our troops] are still fighting and in harm’s way,” Wilczek wrote. “We should continue to pray and show are support for them and their families back home and to also never forget the soldiers that gave their lives for this country … I would like to also thank everyone that shows their support for the troops because it means so much.”

 

Do you have a friend or loved one currently serving in the armed forces? Would you be willing to give Dacula residents a chance to show support for these servicemen and women by telling us their story? Please email kristi.reed@patch.com with your service member's name, photograph and any information you would like to share with our community.


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