St. Peters' Soldiers Receive Bronze Star

Two St. Peters Army National Guardsmen were recently award the Bronze Star Medal.

Sgt. Crystal R. Harris and Sgt. 1st Class Kyle D. Routh, assigned to the St. Louis-based 1138th Transportation Company which is about to conclude a 10-month convoy operations mission throughout Afghanistan, were recognized at a ceremony on April 18 at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan. 

In the award certificate from Army Secretary John M. McHugh, Harris and Routh are cited for their exceptional meritorious service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and their outstanding performance and dedication to duty and to the success of the unit’s mission.

"The distinct accomplishments of (sergeants Routh and Harris) reflect great credit upon themselves,the 1138th Transportation Company, Task Force 142, the 10th Sustainment Brigade, Joint SustainmentCommand-Afghanistan and the United States Army," the certificate read.

As members of Task Force 142, the 1138th conducted more than 90 convoy missions covering an individual combined total of 847,000 miles. The convoy delivered  critical supplies valued at $2.7 billion to Forward Operating Bases. Not content with just delivering things, the unit escorted more than 4,900 Afghan national trucks carrying critical vehicles and equipment in support of units throughout easternAfghanistan. If that wasn't enough, Task Force 142 also helped dispose of unused ammunition.

Prior to the unit’s deployment, Soldiers of the 1138th underwent two months of convoy operations and combat training in Missouri, Kansas and Texas.T he 1138th Transportation Company is headquartered at historic Jefferson Barracks in south St. Louis County and is a subordinate unit of the 311th Brigade Support Battalion, based in Lexington.

The unit is scheduled to return to the U.S. this spring.