Soldiers receive Bronze Stars

Myers, Whitlatch awarded medals with other unit members

By ROGER ADKINS, radkins@newsandsentinel.com
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Two local soldiers have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for their achievements while serving in Iraq.

Raymond “Scooter” Myers Jr. of Vienna and Zachary Whitlatch of Walker were awarded the Bronze Star Medal along with several other members of their unit, according to a release from the military.

The soldiers, members of 769th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Brigade, Baghdad Multi-National Division, were part of a group charged with the task of installing approximately 130,000 square feet of rocket-propelled grenade fencing and sniper-screen material over a 1,200-foot distance, with heights measuring up to 40 feet, at Joint Security Station Ur in the Sadr City district of Baghdad.

After returning from the mission, they were surprised by Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division. Six soldiers were given the medals for their accomplishments.

“The sniper screen will enable us to protect soldiers and provide us the ability to see and disrupt insurgents,” Hammond said, according to the release. “They put up this screen under fire, day and night, and under terrible conditions. You have something to talk about a couple of years from now.”

Indeed, the soldiers have something to speak about.

“The mission took 13 days to complete, despite several setbacks caused by high winds, indirect fire or enemy small-arms fire directed at crews as they worked suspended at heights up to 40 feet in the air,” said Capt. James Hoover, according to the release. “Although the mission presented challenges, these engineers lived up to the regimental motto: ‘Let Us Try!’”

Whitlatch, a graduate of Parkersburg High School, enlisted in the armed forces when he turned 18. Myers, who also is a PHS graduate, is a good friend of Whitlatch’s and joined the armed services while he was still in school.

The parents of the two local soldiers said they are proud of their sons’ accomplishments. Myers parents are Raymond and Brenda Myers of Vienna, and Whitlatch’s parents are Cheryl and Glenn Whitlatch of Walker.

Glenn Whitlatch said he is pleased with his son’s accomplishment.

“We’re really proud of him. I think it’s a big accomplishment,” he said.

“He’s doing this for everybody,” Cheryl Whitlatch said.

Raymond Myers Sr. said he couldn’t be happier with his son. His son and the younger Whitlatch are close and are fortunate to be serving with each other. They are still serving in Iraq.

“I’m very proud of him,” he said. “They’re almost like brothers.”

In addition to Whitlatch and Myers, the soldiers receiving Bronze Star Medals were Staff Sgt. Stephen Choat of Denham Springs, La., Staff Sgt. Lee Given of Flatwoods, W.Va., Sgt Shawn Griffith of Richwood, W.Va., and Spc. Jasper Stull of Durbin, W.Va.