The Honor & Courage Program is honored to have Ssgt. Ian Newland on board as a wounded warrior Mentor. If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD or TBI and would like to speak to one of our mentors please call us at 267-210-6956 Retired Staff Sergeant, Ian Newland Joined the army in June of 2002, after completion of basic training, and basic infantryman’s course at F.T. Benning Georgia , he was assigned to Charlie Company 1st battalion 26th infantry regiment 1st infantry division “ The Big Red One” in Schweinfurt Germany, at the rank of private. He Deployed to Ballad Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, from February of 2004to Feb 2005. He earned the rank of sergeant in November of 2005, and redeployed back to Iraq with his Unit in August of 2006. They were assigned the deadliest sector of Baghdad, and over the next 15 months his unit would loss over 32 soldiers in urban combat, 17 from his company alone. The unit was ambushed by Rocket-propelled Grenades, machinegun fire, IED’s and sniper fire often. On the fourth of December while on a routine combat patrol in NE Baghdad his convoy was ambush, an enemy fighter threw a hand grenade from a roof top into SSG Newlands truck. One of SSG Newland’s soldiers, 19 year old, gunner “Ross McGinnis” knew that with his crew taking fire from all sides they could not exit the truck, he then laid his body on top of the grenade. He died and sergeant Newland was severely wounded in the blast. SPC Ross McGinnis was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2008. Ian’s wounds included shrapnel wounds to his face both arms and both legs, TBI, and PTSD. He has nerve damage in his Left arm and leg leaving him permanently handicap. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in just over four years in the army. His awards include the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the expert Infantryman’s badge, air borne wings, Air Assault wings, The Purple heart, The meritours service medal, Two Bronze stars for Valor in combat, A Bronze stars awarded for combat achievement, One Army Commendation medal for valor in combat, three Army commendation medals, An Army achievement medal, two good conduct medals, Two Iraq campaign medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and service medals, national defense service medal, Three overseas ribbons, NCO Professional development ribbon, and The Army service ribbon.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 03:59:32 +0000
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