Dover Airman receives Purple Heart

Published Aug. 25, 2006
By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Phillips
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Whenever Tech. Sgt. Randy Gardner drove a short distance from the protected gates of Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan to pick up rental vehicles, he said he always felt uneasy. He told himself it was only for a few minutes, but he admits each time he left the protected bubble he was scared.

However, the sergeant, who was in charge of maintaining 30 rental vehicles and 117 government vehicles at his deployed location, never saw any "action" outside the compound.

Ironically, the action found him, when a rocket slammed into his work center July 18.
"It sounded like an airbag going off," recalled Sergeant Gardner, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron Special Purpose vehicle mechanic.

He was eating lunch in the break room, when he said he felt as if he was slugged in the arm and was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. At first, he thought the television exploded. In reality, a rocket sliced through the back of his left shoulder and peppered his hands and arms with metal shards.

He said there was only one thing going through his mind at the time.

"Survival! I just wanted to make it out alive," said Sergeant Gardner, who is a father of two girls: Rachel, 11, and Erica, 10.

Even though he was hurt and dazed, Sergeant Gardner kept calm and directed several Airmen to grab rags and place them over his wounds.

"Combat training and self aid and buddy care really prepares you for what you need to face," said Sergeant Gardner. "Everyone needs to pay attention to it when they go through training."

He was transported to the hospital along with another coworker who was pelted with shrapnel as well. The coworker remained in Afghanistan but Sergeant Gardner's injuries were more extensive. Within days, he arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

A native from Calcium, N.Y., Sergeant Gardner is quick to shake off the unexpected life-altering detour and accepted his Purple Heart medal July 26 with what his wife Kathy describes as a stiff, military upper lip.

"It's still hard to believe I got it," he said. "It felt pretty good to know they recognize you for what you went through."

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed on or after April 5, 1917.

"If the shrapnel would have entered on my right or down lower, I wouldn't have made it," Sergeant Gardner said.

His wounds are a settling reminder what he left behind in Afghanistan.

"As soon as he saw his military liaison (for the first time), he kept saying, 'I've got to call the guys,'" said Kathy, who chuckled when she remembers how adamant her husband was about begging the liaison to make sure someone at Kandahar would finish writing a recommendation letter for a coworker there.

His wife said pushing his own feelings aside to help others is indicative of his low-key character.

"He's pretty laid back, although he gets uptight about his tool box (and how his tools are maintained), said Kathy.

His coworkers describe him as someone who likes to work, is always willing to lend a hand or crack a joke to make someone smile.

In true fashion, Sergeant Gardner retells the harrowing experience by starting with, "The one day I didn't go to the chow hall for lunch, this happened..."

Although he remains grounded in his sense of humor, the reality of the situation is the dining facility had also been hit during his tour - injuring 10 in the blast. The last attack he experienced was his tenth at Kandahar.

"People need to pay attention to what they learn when they're going through training," Sergeant Gardner cautions. "You have got to be real careful, keep your eye on your surroundings and keep your ears open."

Sergeant Gardner is one of three Dover members to recently receive a Purple Heart, but the only one to sustain injuries that required prolonged medical attention back home.
He is in good condition and recovering from his wounds.

"It's always shocking to find out this happened to someone close to you. At the same time, I realize the risk," said Tech. Sgt. Fulton Morris, 436th LRS special purpose vehicle mechanic, who weathered 85 rocket and mortar attacks while deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq without any injury.

Transportation specialists throughout the Air Force are assigned to convoy duty driving in remote locations "outside the wire" throughout Southwest Asia helping the warfighter win the Global War on Terror. In some locations, Air Force security specialists patrol outside the installation's protected perimeter and civil engineers are helping build bridges, schools and water treatment facilities in communities through outreach programs. These are all jobs which were typically filled by Army specialists in the past.
Since more Air Force members are now seeing a closer view of the battlefield, senior leaders encourage Airmen to embrace and develop different skill sets.

"In today's Air Force, the front lines can become foggy and chances are many more our Air Force Speciality Codes will most likely stand in harm's way," said Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Martinez, 436th LRS. "I have a great deal of pride and respect for what they do ...
I have very little doubt when that time comes (all Airmen) will all serve with honor," he said.

Although Sergeant Gardner said he takes pride in his newly acquired Purple Heart, he says the best part of his duty in Afghanistan was tinkering with the vehicles and keeping them running in extreme weather conditions with sparse supplies.

"They send us there to fix vehicles and keep everything moving; nothing moves without vehicle maintenance's help," said Sergeant Gardner. "People couldn't drive to the chow hall or use vehicles that accomplish the direct mission.

"We are just over there doing our part," he said.