JBLM Rangers lauded in rare public appearance in Tacoma
More than 30 Army Rangers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord received individual recognition Thursday night as their elite and secretive battalion made a rare public appearance.
More than 30 Army Rangers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord received individual recognition Thursday night as their elite and secretive battalion made a rare public appearance.
The 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment gathered inside the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall to hand out awards and honors following its 14th combat deployment since October 2001. Several hundred people attended. It held its first post-development awards ceremony last year at Stadium High School.
Lt. Col. Dave Hodne, the battalion’s commander, said the gathering is a chance for people to gain better insight into the contributions made by a unit tasked with the most dangerous combat missions.
“When you have the opportunity to present men of character, men who have executed heroic actions, it would be irresponsible, quite frankly, as American citizens to keep it isolated to the battalion,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Sean Keough received the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for combat valor, for his actions during an Oct. 7 raid against a Taliban leader in Afghanistan. Despite being shot in the right arm, Keough, a squad leader, advanced while taking enemy fire and provided cover fire so others could come to the aid of two wounded Rangers trapped in an alleyway.
Seven Rangers, including a 2006 Peninsula High School graduate, received the Bronze Star, the nation’s fourth-highest decoration for courage under fire. On Sept. 23, Spc. Joshua Overly exposed himself to enemy fire to throw a grenade and kill enemies inside a fortified building and recover two casualties.
