Soldier’s
Valor Recognized with Silver Star
(U.S. Army)
A 3rd Infantry Division platoon sergeant who was part of
the initial invasion into Baghdad was awarded the Silver
Star for his actions to secure
an area
near Baghdad International Airport on April 3, 2003.
Sgt. 1st
Class Terry Mulligan, then a Soldier with Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment,
was serving as a scout – the forward eyes and ears
of the division as they moved to take Baghdad. As a platoon
sergeant, he was responsible for about 35 Soldiers.
While securing
his area near the airport, Mulligan received word that about
100 Fedayeen soldiers from Saddam Hussein’s army were
advancing on another section. He and four of his Soldiers
moved to that area to help fend off the enemy advancement.
With Medal
of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, Mulligan bravely
defended the area with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons.
Mulligan’s
efforts led to the defense of the American position, as well
as the protection of U.S. Soldiers in the area.
Mulligan,
a native of Beaufort, S.C., is currently serving with the
1st Battalion, 409th Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Knox, Kentucky.