Frontiersman Editorial

A Bronze Star Medal is only one and a half inches across — roughly the same size as an old-fashioned silver dollar. Bronze isn’t the most valuable of metals. It’s an alloy of copper and tin.

But a Bronze Star presented by the U.S. Armed Forces isn’t about size. It isn’t about being made of two rather mundane metals. It is about heroism, dedication and selflessness.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the use of the Bronze Star Medal in 1944, retroactive to 1941. According to the U.S. military, the award is given for acts of heroism and/or meritorious service by American servicemen and women.

We are proud to have one of the newest honorees of this distinctive award in our Valley.

U.S. Navy Command Chief Brian Vesco of Wasilla was serving in Iraq in 2006. Like the metals in bronze, his role there seemed fairly mundane. Vesco was in charge of planning the movement and personal security of ground and air movements.

Twice while Vesco was delivering military network equipment to a U.S. base his convoy came under attack. Vesco switched from the mission’s planning coordinator to its assistant gunner, returning fire and suppressing the enemy so he and his fellow soldiers could escape the assault.

Here’s how Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, described Vesco’s actions:

“[Vesco’s] actions ensured the safety of all members of the convoy. Additionally, he established accountability for $4 million of directorate equipment; a monumental task considering the number of personnel and amount of equipment involved. Chief Vesco’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit on him, the multi-national force-Iraq, and the United States Navy.”

Those of us who have no first-hand knowledge of functioning in temperatures over 100 degrees with sand stinging our skin and loved ones far away will likely never fully appreciate the actions of Vesco and his fellow servicemen and women. Our commutes don’t involve running gauntlets of improvised explosive devices and hostile insurgents who lob grenades and open fire with all manner of weapons.

We are grateful for men like Vesco, those men and women with whom he served and those who continue to serve, who exhibit valor, dedication and selflessness every day, many without recognition.

The Bronze Star is small. Their contributions are gigantic.