504th PIR Paratrooper awarded Silver Star for actions under enemy fire

An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper was awarded the Silver Star May 1 for gallantry in action while leading his platoon through an enemy stronghold in the Al Fadhil neighborhood of Baghdad.
  Sgt. 1st Class Michael Onstine, platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, distin­guished himself with valor Sept. 30, 2007, during Operation Rustum when his platoon twice came under overwhelming fire and grenade attacks attempting to capture or disrupt high value al-Qaida targets.
  While conducting a raid on the Kha Tun Mosque and an adjacent house, the enemy initiated a firefight with small-arms fire, according to Onstine. He said the platoon returned fire when shrapnel from an enemy grenade ripped through the back of both of his legs and shoulder. Onstine refused medical treatment, elect­ing to remain with his platoon until the enemy broke contact and other wounded paratroopers had been evacuated.
  “It was a long evening because it was the first evening and I got hit by grenade shrapnel,” said Onstine. “I was just thinking who’s in contact and what are we doing to take care of it? Focusing on the mission and how best to attack the enemy.”
  The evening wasn’t over as Onstine’s platoon had a follow­on mission when they were again ambushed receiving heavy small- arms fire and grenade attacks from three separate positions as they approached their target’s house. Three paratroopers, an Iraqi interpreter and a human intelli­gence source were immediately wounded.
  “I’m reacting by calling sup­porting teams by fire and calling for medics,” Onstine said.
  Onstine and the platoon medic rushed to the aid of a wounded paratrooper as enemy rounds were impacting around them. Onstine remained completely exposed in an alley providing cover fire so the wounded could be moved and ordering massing fire on enemy positions.
  “I had to expose myself to get visibility of the situation and devise a plan to leave the area while the rounds were hitting the wall inches away from me,” Onstine explained.
  When it became clear support would not reach the paratroop­ers still pinned down, Onstine volunteered to stay behind cov­ering his platoon’s withdrawal engaging nearly 20 insurgents with his M4 and grenades.
  “ He’s always been an out­standing guy, always there for his Soldiers,” complimented Spc. Wesley Ingraham, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 504th PIR.
  Onstine said he believed it was a successful mission because it led to the eventual capture of enemy combatants by fighting, killing and pushing the enemy out of their comfort zone. He also praised his platoon saying the men were chosen for the main effort of this operation because of how they performed under fire during previous missions.
“It’s a great platoon and this ceremony also recognizes their efforts,” Onstine said. “I would gladly give the medal back if I could get Sergeant Christopher Casselman and Sergeant Shawn Smith ( who were injured in the ambush) healthy and back in the platoon.”
  Onstine, like many other dec­orated veterans said he didn’t know whether his actions deserved receiving the Silver Star because he felt he was just doing his job, however, others believe Onstine is well-deserv­ing.
  “My Soldiers were with him in contact and they say he did an outstanding job,” said Capt. Eric Schnabel, commander of HHC, 1st Bn., 504th PIR. “He’s a true combat veteran and leader from the front.”