Two EODMU-3 Sailors Receive Bronze Stars

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Two Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3 Detachment Middle Pacific received Bronze Star Medals during an awards ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam West Loch Annex May 14.

Lt. Joseph Schippert and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Robert Moses were both presented the Bronze Star Medal by Rear Adm. Dixon Smith, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, for their performance during operations while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Schippert served as the operations officer for ten EOD teams at seven forward operating bases spread over the 7,000-square-mile Diyalah province area of operations. He provided critical reporting and counter-insurgency intelligence for more than 125 missions, including the destruction of 5,446 pounds of explosives. Schippert also provided Stryker brigade combat teams with EOD training and support.

"It feels great to receive this award, but I really owe all of the credit to my team," said Schippert. "I'm very fortunate to lead a great team that does everything in such a precise manner."

Moses served as team leader and leading petty officer of his EOD unit in Iraq. He ensured the unit was well equipped and trained, contributing to a very high success rate for the U.S. Army operating in the Salah Ad Din province. Moses personally performed more than 40 EOD missions, including ten time-sensitive target operations where he directly participated in pursuit and capture of eleven suspected or known enemy weapons and explosives traffickers, insurgents, bomb makers and high level al-Quaeda leaders or members.

"It is an honor to be recognized for the Bronze Star Medal," said Moses. "This has been a very humbling experience, but ultimately I just see it as doing my job and carrying out the mission at hand."

At the end of the ceremony, Smith thanked Schippert and Moses for their service during their seven-month deployment to Iraq.

"I really want to express my appreciation for putting your lives at risk for our military and our country," Smith said. "The both of you have done a tremendous job and I'm honored that I was able to present these Bronze Star Medals to you."