Columbus Park Gymnasium to be Dedicated to Local War Hero
Saturday, June 08, 2013
The Navy Cross is the American Naval Service's highest honor. Sergeant William B. Soutra, Jr. was awarded with it at Camp Pendleton in December.
The gymnasium at the Columbus Park Preparatory Academy in Worcester will be dedicated to Sergeant William Benjamin Soutra, Jr. on Monday morning. The life-long Worcester resident, a graduate of Columbus Park Preparatory Academy and Worcester Technical High School, was recently awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism" on the field of battle. A plaque unveiling ceremony will begin at 9 am.
The Navy Cross, the military's second highest decoration for valor and the American Naval Service's highest honor, was awarded in a ceremony at Camp Pendleton in December 2012. The sergeant was honored for actions he took while serving as Canine Handler, Company B, First Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan on July 11, 2010.
The sergeant's Navy Cross citation, presented officially by the President of the United States and signed by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, states the specific reasons why he was given such an honor,
"...While patrolling with Afghan commandos in Helmand Province, Sergeant Soutra's unit became pinned down by a complex ambush initiated by an improvised explosive device that mortally wounded his Staff Sergeant element leader. Sergeant Soutra unhesitatingly took charge, and with complete disregard for his own life , moved across open terrain to each commando's position, orienting their fires on the enemy. Under intense fire he fearlessly moved forward with the team corpsman to reach the fallen element leader. While the corpsman rendered aid to the element leader, Sergeant Soutra placed a tourniquet on a nearby severely-wounded commando and pulled him to safety. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, he again moved from position to position to orient and direct friendly fires, accurately relayed enemy information that enabled aircraft to provide suppression, and calmly coordinated a successful evacuation of the causalities -- personally carrying one of the wounded 75 meters. Nearly 70 minutes after the ambush began, Sergeant Soutra rallied the platoon and maneuvered them safely out of the kill zone with his military working dog still at his side...".
In summation, the sergeant was given the award for his "decisive leadership, exceptional courage in the face of enemy fire and complete dedication to duty...".
In addition to the dedication of the gymnasium, a permanent plaque will be placed within City Hall in the early fall, 2013.
The Columbus Park gymnasium is located at 75 Lovell Street in Worcester.
Related Articles
- Bridge Dedicated in Honor of Fallen Leominster Soldier
- NEW: Navy Asks Personnel in the 5-State Area to Check In
- Good Is Good: Romanticizing Military Special Forces
- John Loughlin Receives High Military Honor from Dept of Defense
- NEW: Veterans Inc. to Host Biennial Gala Military Ball this Saturday
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It