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Silver
Star Deputy Honored for Heroism in Iraq
Sheriff’s
Deputy Dennis Woullard Jr. awarded for bravery on the battlefield
By
Kerri Webb
Special to the Bulletin
The men and women who proudly serve in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s
Department are among the most highly trained professionals in the United
States. Their dedication to being the best is rarely matched by any law
enforcement agency in the world.
For one employee, his heroism has stretched beyond his deputy uniform
and unit of assignment. Deputy Dennis Woullard Jr., who is a U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve Staff Sergeant, was awarded the Silver Star last year for
his gallantry on the battle field in Iraq. According to the award’s
citation, from May 8-11, 2005, Woullard’s feats in al Ubaydi, Iraq,
demonstrated “selflessness, bravery and commitment to teamwork;” all
traits the Sheriff’s Department stands for.
“Not only has Dennis honored his country in the most distinguished
way possible, he has honored the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
with his extraordinary commitment,” said Sheriff Lee Baca. “Dennis
is a fine example of leadership and someone who is more than willing
to go above and beyond the call of duty.”
First presented in 1932, the Silver Star is awarded for gallantry
in action against an enemy of the United States. The Silver Star is the
fifth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of
the United States Armed Forces, and the third highest given for valor
in the face of the enemy. It may be awarded to any person who, while
serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguishes him
or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions:
•
In action against an enemy of the United States
•
While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an
opposing foreign force
•
While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed
conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is
not a belligerent party
•
According to 1st Lieutenant Robert Dolan of the United States Marine
Corps’ Public Affairs Department, Woullard has in addition been
awarded two Purple Hearts, three Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medals,
two Armed Forces Reserve Medals, a Combat Action Ribbon, a National Defense
Service Medal and many more.
“Sgt. Woullard is obviously a model Marine and someone that we
are proud to have, and [the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
is] lucky as well,” said Dolan. “The citation he received
is very impressive.”
According to Woullard, he was just and average Marine doing his
job.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Woullard began his military career
on January 26, 1998 after attending Jackson State University on a football
scholarship. Then this past April, Woullard changed his military fatigues
for an L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy uniform. In August, he began
his Departmental career in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. He
says that his family’s strong military background played a major
role in his desire to become not just any sheriff’s deputy, but
an L.A. County Sheriff’s deputy.
“I always wanted to be a Marine; my family has a deep military
background, going all the way back to my grandfathers who served in WWII
and Korea,” said
Woullard. “When I joined the Sheriff’s Department, it was
and is a dream come true. When I worked in law enforcement in Mississippi,
there was always a tremendous amount of respect for the Los Angeles
Sheriff’s
Department and the challenges that are unique to this area of the
nation.”
According to Woullard, his medal-earning feat took place during “Operation
Matador,” which began early May 9, 2005.
“My fire team came under heavy machine gun fire while we were attempting
to clear a house in the town of New Albyadi. When my team member
kicked open the front door, we were immediately engulfed in machine gun
and
RPG fire,” Woullard recalled. “The house was heavily bunkered
and the occupants had no intention on coming out alive, and we
were glad to grant them their wish. However, I was shot twice, a grazing
wound
to my left temple and one other round that skipped off my back
protective armor.”
Partially unconscious, Woullard managed to crawl to a covered position,
return fire and then reenter the residence to retrieve two of his wounded
team members who were going into shock due to the severity of their wounds.
“I remember thinking that it was all over for me but wondering
why does it still hurt so much,” he said. “Soon these feelings
turned to anger as I saw the wounds that my partners had received.”
Two days later, Woullard and his team were traveling to their next
objective when their convoy hit a roadside bomb. The blast lifted the
49,000-pound armored vehicle 4 feet in the air.
“I remember fire and smoke immediately filling the vehicle,” said
Woullard. “I felt around for the door handle and lifted up on it.
The rear door swung open and I immediately dove out. I remember
fighting through heavy smoke, heat and rounds that were cooking off;
still myself
and other Marines returned several times to help retrieve Marines
from the back of the vehicle. We were angered and saddened over the news
that
four of our buddies never made it off that vehicle. Nine Marines
total died in the blast or from complications stemming from the incident.
“For these two incidents I was awarded the Silver Star.”
Woullard said that being awarded the Silver Star is an honor, but
contends he was just doing his job. He says that the LASD is his new
family and would like for everyone to know a little bit about him.
“There are actually three things that I would like my new family
to know about me. First, that the joy of the Lord has always been
my strength. Second, I train every day like my life might one day depend
on it. And third, that I’m so very honored to be a part of the
LASD family, and I’m looking forward to working with the best law
enforcement personnel that this country has to offer.”
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