The Story:
For the troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, interacting with forces from other nations is a workaday event, even in heavy combat situations. It’s not as common, however, for foreign governments to bestow awards on Americans – except for extraordinary bravery, such as that displayed by Maj. Chesarek on June 10, 2006.
On that day, Chesarek and his crew were preparing to support approximately 100 British marines on a weapons-cache search in the city of Amarah, Iraq. Chesarek, a seasoned pilot, was no stranger to the Brits: He had served as an exchange officer with U.K. forces in Somerset, England, and deployed with his British comrades to Basra.
As the group completed its mission in Amarah, one of its vehicles on the ground became disabled. Chesarek, listening to radio transmissions, heard the dispatches grow desperate as the immobilized vehicle was swarmed by armed insurgents. Chesarek flew into the fight, but as his flight team began searching for insurgents to fire at from above, they noticed numerous civilians in the vicinity, making it almost impossible for the helicopter to safely attack. Chesarek made a daring choice: he dove into the gun battle, flying as low as possible to draw the enemy’s attention away from the troops on the ground. The tactic worked – even as it endangered Chesarek’s helicopter.
As the battle continued, a British marine was shot in the head and fell in the middle of the firefight. Ignoring imminent danger, Chesarek landed his helicopter in the crossfire and evacuated the injured marine.
For his life-saving actions, Chesarek was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross on March 21, 2007 – the first time an American serviceman has received the award since World War II.