WASHINGTON - Two men who Sgt. 1st Class John Craig met in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina LTG H Steven Blum and Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor played a predominant role in recognizing another important chapter in Craig's military career on Aug. 2 when Blum, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Taylor presented the Bronze Star to Craig for his service in Iraq.
Craig, 41, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service for his work from February-November 2003 while he was deployed as the base defense noncommissioned officer supporting the 31st Rear Operations Center, 43rd Area Support Group, Iraq. He was responsible for the defensive posture of four base camps that housed about 2,500 soldiers. No casualties were reported during Craig's stint as base defense NCO.
Craig, a 19-year member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, subsequently had two jobs in Mississippi over the course of six months following the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. He was the military liaison for Hancock County, Miss., and then he was a platoon sergeant in Gulfport, Miss., for the Joint Task Force. Craig's superior work in Mississippi was noticed by both Taylor and Blum. In fact, at Blum's invitation Craig now works as an operations sergeant at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va.
"I was witness to John's work in Hancock County after Hurricane Katrina," Taylor said. "With a small contingent, he really did an outstanding job in tough circumstances. He never lost his cool and he really did save the day."
"This award is for leadership, courage and common sense," Blum said. "Not only in Iraq, but in Mississippi post-Katrina."
But while Blum and Taylor both remembered Craig for his work in Mississippi, Thursday's ceremony in the Rayburn Building adjacent to the Capitol focused on Craig's achievements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With a shortage of staff officers, Craig was placed in charge of base defense at Log Base Seitz and supervised the building of 95 surviveability bunkers at the base. Just days later, the bunkers proved invaluable.
"The week after we completed the building of the surviveability bunkers, we took mortar fire at that base and without those bunkers there would have potentially been more injuries and casualties. So that was a good thing that we got done," Craig said. "We moved many times from one place to another. Our unit didn't have any casualties. We had 140 Soldiers in the 43rd Area Support Group."
Craig is the sixth Soldier from the 43rd Area Support Group to be awarded the Bronze Star. He was told he would receive the medal just two days earlier on July 31. Because of the time lapse, a special board had to convene to award the Bronze Star to Craig.
"I'm grateful for it," said the soft-spoken Craig whose hometown is Florence, Miss. "I'm happy to serve my state and country and I thank God for his blessings and the support of my family and friends."
Craig's wife, Mitzi Craig, was present for the ceremony, as well as members from the National Guard Bureau operations staff including Col. Brent Feick, Lt. Col. Michael Stewart and Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Clendennen.