Army decorates Jessica Lynch's rescuers

Hooah! Rangers lead the way!

Associated Press Jan. 29, 2006 12:00 AM

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Army unit that helped rescue prisoner of war Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital during a nighttime raid has been given an award for valor.

The 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based in Savannah, received the Valorous Unit Award during a ceremony Friday. It is the Army's third-highest unit citation.

"Being a special operator, a Ranger, is not a job. It's who you are," said Lt. Robert W. Wagner, a special operations commander.

A convoy from Lynch's company took a wrong turn and was attacked in Nasiriyah in March 2003. Eleven U.S. soldiers were killed and six captured, including Lynch. She suffered spinal fractures, nerve damage and a shattered right arm, right foot and left leg when her Humvee crashed.

The Rangers helped rescue her and dug up the bodies of eight soldiers who had been killed in her unit, the 507th Maintenance Company.

Lynch started classes in August at West Virginia University, one of several universities that offered her a scholarship so she could achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.

The battalion returned this month from a three-month split deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, a spokeswoman said.