Warsaw Grad Receives Bronze Star For Valor
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
U.S. Army Specialist David Liebsch, a Warsaw Community High School 1999 graduate, received the Bronze Star Medal Oct. 7 from his brigade commander at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Liebsch, the son of Stephen and Holly Liebsch, was one of eight men of the 130 men in his squadron serving in Iraq to receive the medal. He is a member of the U.S. Army B Troop, 3D Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3D Infantry Division (mechanized).
According to Stephen Liebsch, the Bronze Star Medal usually is awarded for one of two reasons - for one great act of valor in the war or for valor over the course of the war. Stephen said David told him he believed he received the medal for actions over the course of the war.
According to information from the Major General, U.S. Army Secretary of the Army, provided by Holly Liebsch, David was awarded the medal "for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, while serving as a bradley gunner, his courage under fire and unending enthusiasm inspired his soldiers on the battlefield, his capability to perform multiple skilled tasks while under fire facilitated unparalled success for the 3D Infantry division (mechanized) to defeat enemy forces and liberate Iraq, his exemplary performance of duty in a combat zone reflects great credit upon himself, the 3D infantry division (mechanized), the 'Rock of the Marines' and the United Sates Army."
During the course of the war, Stephen said, David and his squadron at one time were under mortar fire and there was a time when they were engaged in small arms fire with the enemy.
David's nickname became "Don't Run," Stephen said, because David kept pushing everyone forward and told the Iraqis not to run.
"He did say the people were very glad to be liberated," said Stephen. There are some Iraqis who don't want the Americans there, but they just want their country back. Holly said David told her the Iraqis always are trying to sell the Americans Pepsi.
Speaking about the war for his fellow troops, Stephen said, David told him the soldiers believe in what they are doing. Saddam Hussein, David told him, needed to be toppled.
As for being in Iraq, Stephen said, David was glad to be back in the United States.
Stephen said David's squadron always was in the main conflicts. The nickname of Liebsch's troop was "Bone Crusher."
David Liebsch entered the Army in May 2000. In January 2003, Liebsch left for Kuwait and then to Iraq in mid-March. He returned to the United States to Fort Stewart Aug. 10. [[In-content Ad]]
U.S. Army Specialist David Liebsch, a Warsaw Community High School 1999 graduate, received the Bronze Star Medal Oct. 7 from his brigade commander at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Liebsch, the son of Stephen and Holly Liebsch, was one of eight men of the 130 men in his squadron serving in Iraq to receive the medal. He is a member of the U.S. Army B Troop, 3D Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3D Infantry Division (mechanized).
According to Stephen Liebsch, the Bronze Star Medal usually is awarded for one of two reasons - for one great act of valor in the war or for valor over the course of the war. Stephen said David told him he believed he received the medal for actions over the course of the war.
According to information from the Major General, U.S. Army Secretary of the Army, provided by Holly Liebsch, David was awarded the medal "for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, while serving as a bradley gunner, his courage under fire and unending enthusiasm inspired his soldiers on the battlefield, his capability to perform multiple skilled tasks while under fire facilitated unparalled success for the 3D Infantry division (mechanized) to defeat enemy forces and liberate Iraq, his exemplary performance of duty in a combat zone reflects great credit upon himself, the 3D infantry division (mechanized), the 'Rock of the Marines' and the United Sates Army."
During the course of the war, Stephen said, David and his squadron at one time were under mortar fire and there was a time when they were engaged in small arms fire with the enemy.
David's nickname became "Don't Run," Stephen said, because David kept pushing everyone forward and told the Iraqis not to run.
"He did say the people were very glad to be liberated," said Stephen. There are some Iraqis who don't want the Americans there, but they just want their country back. Holly said David told her the Iraqis always are trying to sell the Americans Pepsi.
Speaking about the war for his fellow troops, Stephen said, David told him the soldiers believe in what they are doing. Saddam Hussein, David told him, needed to be toppled.
As for being in Iraq, Stephen said, David was glad to be back in the United States.
Stephen said David's squadron always was in the main conflicts. The nickname of Liebsch's troop was "Bone Crusher."
David Liebsch entered the Army in May 2000. In January 2003, Liebsch left for Kuwait and then to Iraq in mid-March. He returned to the United States to Fort Stewart Aug. 10. [[In-content Ad]]