Pvt. Monica Brown And The Silver Star

Lara Logan Interviews A Young Woman Who Was Awarded A Silver Star For Exceptional Valor

(CBS)  Private Monica Brown is only the second woman to be awarded the Silver Star since World War II. She's an Army medic who risked her own life to save two critically wounded paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

Under Army regulations, women cannot be assigned to frontline combat units. But, as correspondent Lara Logan reports, in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq today, that's exactly where they often end up.

Some male soldiers aren't so happy about that, including members of Pvt. Brown's own unit. But her superior officers say she is a hero - a hero who earned one of the military's highest awards for exceptional valor when she was only 18 years old.

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Winning the Silver Star is a big deal for anybody, but considering Brown's age, it's an even bigger deal. "It's overwhelming," she tells Logan.

"I mean you've been treated like a superstar, really. And you're just a kid," Logan remarks.

"Yeah. I am just a child," she acknowledges.

It all started on April 25, 2007. Brown was temporarily attached to a paratrooper unit in Paktika Province, a hostile and remote area. The unit was headed back to base after searching for weapons in a village. None of them had any idea they were driving straight into a massive ambush until a roadside bomb exploded under the last Humvee and hidden enemy fighters unleashed mortars and machine guns on the convoy.

Brown had just four months of medic training at the time, and it was her first firefight. "They stopped the convoy. And my platoon sergeant got out of the truck and said, 'Doc, let's go,'" she remembers.

Brown was the only medic at the scene.

"There was a ball of fire that went into the truck and burned all five crew members. The gunner was actually almost blown out of the turret," remembers Michael Greene, who was Brown's sergeant major with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Asked what Brown did and what was so remarkable about her actions, Sgt. Maj. Greene tells Logan, "She grabbed her aid bag, got out of the truck and made her way back to the vehicle. And through small arms fire, intense small arms fire and mortar fire."

"As I'm runnin' I see guys rollin' in the dirt tryin' [to] put their uniforms out 'cause they're burnin'," remembers Sergeant Jose Santos, who was running with Brown towards the casualties through a hail of enemy bullets and mortar fire.

Sergeant Aaron Best, a gunner in the lead Humvee, was firing back at the enemy, while Specialist Jack Bodani, only lightly wounded, managed to crawl out of the burning Humvee.

"Thought I lost my entire crew; at that point in time I didn't see anybody," Spc. Bodani remembers.

Bodani knew that his best friend, Specialist Stanson Smith, was still trapped inside the burning vehicle that was packed with high explosive ammunition. "Couldn't get him out 'cause he was tryin' to crawl in the flames. And he's disoriented and got adrenaline pumpin'," Bodani remembers.

"And he's been hit at this point, right? His head is hit quite badly?" Logan asks.

"Blood all over his face and burned skin, and his lips were messed up," Bodani says.

"The truck is carryin' the MK19, which has 40 millimeter grenades. So you're talkin' about a thousand grenades inside that truck," Sgt. Santos explains.

Santos says they all started going off.

"It sounded like firecrackers, at first," Brown remembers. "And then, it was pretty heavy after that. 'Cause you could hear all the 50 cals (calibers) going off and stuff like that."

As the firefight raged on, Brown focused on the two most seriously wounded men - Specialists Larry Spray and Smith.

"I see Smith, he's laying there, you know, he's rockin' back and forth. And I'm, like, lookin'. Like, 'Oh crap.' You know, 'He's dead.' Spray, his hands are all burned up. And his face is burned up," Sgt. Best remembers.

"And in all of this, I mean, you were never scared? Not even for a moment?" Logan asks Brown.

"I wasn't scared for my life. I was scared because I was afraid I wasn't gonna be competent and able to do my job. Because I knew the people that were hurt," Brown says.

Asked if she was afraid of failing, Brown says, "Yeah."

[inksterj]

I wanted to comment not on the story but on the reporter. I have been watching 60 Minutes ever since it started. I am a big fan of the show and the people who report the stories.
In this case I think 60 Minutes missed the boat.
I found Laura Logan to be as exciting as a high school freshman. Ms Logan''s use of language was painful to listen to. I found myself rolling my eyes in frustration.
I wish this young lady all the luck in the world in her chosen profession as long as she doesn%u2019t have to practice it here on a national TV show.

SorryToHaveToComment
Jay F

[demrage]

This person is a hero plain and simple. She has I hope started the road for a one to one equality women to men in the military. Time for all these overly proud males to get over there little women fantasies and allow women to fight along side there male counterparts without hesitation.

Good job Private, you do your country proud.

[dasc603]

My son served with Spc Brown as a medic. He likes her as a person and respects her professional competence. He also feels as many of the soldiers there do, that she was awarded the Silver Star largely because of her ***. He knows of the entire incident and what awards others have received, and that is what he looks at. He knows of a paratrooper medic who spent months on a cold mountain outpost, during which in an attack he ran thru heavy mortar and machine gun fire to administer aid, was blown out of a watchtower by an rpg while rushing to aid his soldiers, had an eardrum blown out by that rpg (for which he refused to write himself up for a purple heart), and had his recommendation for a bronze star rejected as this medic was "just doing his job". Or look up the name of Hugo V Mendoza, another medic hero (kia) unknown to most of the world. It is not sour grapes from the troops, it is just that the troops know who is deserving and for what, and they don''t like to see anyone slighted for whatever reason. As a 11B retiree, I agree, the BC and Sgt Major did well to (over)recognize Spc Brown for her actions but left out other more deserving male soldiers, thus the resentment. As my son said, %u201CIt%u2019s ***. What she did, every field medic has done over and over. It%u2019s just ***.%u201D

[jtmoney529]

And in regards to the comment about them not wanting to speak about it. I know one of them is at Walter Reid Medical center being treated for Post traumatic stress. If you want to say that they are an "embarrassment," I suggest you pick up a weapon and go on a patrol, put your life on the line, almost die, and then let''s see if you want to talk about it a year and a half later. Before you make "ludicrous" statements like that, you might want to make sure you have your facts straight.
Thank you Monica. When my brother told me about that firefight, the last time I ever spoke with him, he told me all about what you did. I remember him describing you appear out of the smoke running as fast as you can.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[marielouise5]

The refusal to speak about Private Brown is ludicrous, those specialists are an embarrassment to not only the military, but to people in general.

[scout325]

This was a great report. As a veteran I am proud of Pvt. Brown and though women are not technically allowed in combat roles, those lines are becoming extremely blurry. Actions are what earn awards and actions are not gender specific as Pvt. Brown exemplified.

One note to CBS, military awards and medals are not %u201CWon%u201D they are earned. I know it is technical and petty, however when something is won it implies there has been a contest. Olympic medals are won.

[nevasendaboy]

Posted by elcherokee
==========================
Medics never carry guns.


Not true. As an example- in Iraq, I carried a 9mm Beretta AND an M4 carbine. This is the standard throughout my infantry division. And- woah, what''s this? Yep, I''m still a 68W/line medic.

[homespunlady]

After plenty of years in the military when a woman would have been denied ANY combat related medal on the basis that "they shouldn''t be there", being told I''d be on the front lines if it came to it but would never be acknowledged and watching plenty of guys get medals for accomplishing far less than I had - I say GOOD FOR HER!

Yes, there are lots of good and bad breaks in the military and life in general.

From what I''ve read she earned what she got as well as the other guys involved.

Kudos to the "unsung heroes" out there as well.

What few medals I do have now mean less than the day 10 years after I retired that an elderly gentleman I mentioned my service to sincerely looking me in the eye and said "thank you for your service".

I waited decades to hear that.

Others may not have to wait so long.

[jtmoney529]

My brother is Sgt. T. that SSG Smith speaks of. He joined the army at the age of 29 and insisted on Airborne Infantry. That day, he burned his hands while pulling the two men out of the Humvee and then hopped into a .50 Cal to return fire to the enemy, until he was ordered out because of his wounds.5 months later, he was killed in a firefight becuase he exposed his position so he could return fire at the enemy because two of his men were pinned down by enemy fire..... He was never awarded the Silver star. For that day, he was awarded a Bronze star with Valor and a Purple Heart. I''ve always felt like he deserved more. Thank you Smith for remembering the sacrafice my Brother made. And don''t pay attention to negative things people may say. You and your brother are proud of the service you have given this country, and no one can take that away from you. Smith, You can find me on Sgt. T''s myspace if you ever want to communicate more.

James T
Proud to be an american

[mjcantys]

To: jsmith576

My prayers and congratulations for your service and the service of your family.

This what I wrote regarding your brother and fellow soldier: "Regarding the comments directed at(WIA)SPC.Spray and SPC Smith, lay off!! These SOLDIERS are going through combat induced PTSD!! These SOLDIERS must find their path to an interior and exterior healing.

The first thing an injured soldier says to his/her fellow soldiers, "I''''m sorry...I''''m sorry for gettin hit." I''''m sure these soldiers apologized. Wrap your minds around that, the next time you comment!!

What should they be ashamed of? Not a DAMMMMM THING!! Petty? Hell NOOOOO!! Doc Brown (SPC Brown) is a HERO. However, SPC(s) Spray and Smith are(WIA) HERO(s)!! Doc Brown, OUTSTANDING JOB!!"


Mel
Sergeant, United States Army, Infantry (1983-1987)


Mel, Army Infantry Sergeant (1983-1984)

[mjcantys]

Regarding the comments directed at(WIA)SPC 4.Spray and SPC 4 Smith, lay off!! These SOLDIERS are going through combat induced PTSD!! These SOLDIERS must find their path to an interior and exterior healing.

The first thing an injured soldier says to his/her fellow soldiers, "I''''m sorry...I''''m sorry for gettin hit." I''''m sure these soldiers apologized. Wrap your minds around that, the next time you comment!!

What should they be ashamed of? Not a DAMMMMM THING!! Petty? Hell NOOOOO!! Doc Brown (SPC Brown) is a HERO. However, SPC(s) Spray and Smith are(WIA) HERO(s)!! Doc Brown, OUTSTANDING JOB!!


Mel
Sergeant, United States Army, Infantry (1983-1987)

[jtlykins]

No one is saying your brother is any less of a soldier or that we don''t appreciate him or any other person serving for our country. Nor is anyone saying that the others involved weren''t just as brave or just as gallant. As a woman married to a sailor and we are currently living overseas, I find it truly offensive that your brother''s only comment was that she shouldn''t of been there is the first place. He may have said more but that''s all 60 minutes reported. And yes, he has that right, a right that some many people, male and female fight for. But while I am overseas living on an Army post watching females soldiers going to work every day and busting their butts just like my husband does every day (and not sleeping their way to the top!) I think your brother can be a little more of stand of guy and show some appreciation for what EVERYBODY did to save the guys who were injured. NOT JUST THE MALES that you yourself referred to throughout your entire comments. Regardless of ***, your brother was helped during a terrible situation, and the decent thing to do would be to recognize that.

[strengthx10]

Re: What Brown mentioned in the story. Something to think about; this was not live news footage. It was a news story with probably much more footage than we ever were able to see. Brown may have talked extensively about that other soldier and we may never know.
There are other silver star winners in the past several years. The question should be why there isn''t more coverage on all the brave soldiers. The media should cover all of the great things you do. Thanks to all of the soldiers for doing what few Americans are willing to do. "Greater love hath no man this this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

[jsmit576]

Also, if you have never been to combat then please shut the hell up, join the military, go to Iraq/Afghanistan, whatever conflict their may be at the time and then write me back with an educated response. Again, let her have the award, but please stop writing about how my brother is such a bad person; him and his buddy were the ones who were burnt alive "doing their job" and maybe you would like to know that he returned to Afghanistan months later, because he was just serving his country.

Very Respectfully,

SSG Smith, J.

THESE THREE COMMENTS ARE ALL FROM MYSELF; I HAD TO WRITE THEM SEPARATELY BECAUSE OF THE WORD LIMIT. PLEASE READ IN ORDER