The 507th Maintenance Company was a United States Army unit which was ambushed during the Battle of Nasiriyah in the rapid advance towards Baghdad during 2003 invasion of Iraq on 23 March 2003. The most well known member of the unit was Private First Class Jessica Lynch whose rescue from an Iraqi hospital received worldwide media coverage. Sergeant Donald Walters and Private First Class Patrick Miller were both awarded the Silver Star for valor. Sergeant Matthew Rose was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device. Many other members of the unit were decorated as well, receiving the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and/or Prisoner of War Medal.
On 16 July 2005, the 507th Maintenance Company was redesignated as Battery E, 5th Battalion, 52d Air Defense Artillery Regiment. In 2006, A monument to the 507th Maintenance Company was placed within the battalion's area on Fort Bliss, Texas. In January 2007, the unit's designation was changed to Battery F.
Overview The 507th Maintenance Company provided maintenance support to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, a Patriot missile unit based at Fort Bliss, Texas. Previously, it was assigned to 2d Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, another Patriot missile unit at Fort Bliss which played a major support role in the Persian Gulf War. During its Iraq deployment in 2003, the 507th was attached to 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
History 2003: Iraq War The Battle of Nasiriyah
A trail vehicle convoy element of this unit was ambushed during the rapid advance towards Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom on 23 March 2003. The 507th was last in a march column of over 600 vehicles from the 3rd Infantry Division. This element which included the heavier, slower vehicles of the 507th, made a wrong turn into Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates River northwest of Basra. A U.S. Army investigation concluded that this wrong turn was the result of a navigational error compounded by a lack of rest, limited communications and human error.
Killed in action The following soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company were killed in action: Name Rank Age Hometown NotesJamaal R. AddisonSpecialist22Roswell, GeorgiaFirst sergeant38Cleveland, OhioFirst sergeant of the 507th Maintenance Company.Ruben Estrella-SotoPrivate18El Paso, TexasHoward Johnson IIPrivate first class21Mobile, AlabamaThe first combat death from Alabama during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.James M. KiehlSpecialist22Comfort, TexasDuring the ambush, James Kiehl manned his vehicle's Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and did his duty to defend his unit, but was mortally injured. Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Johnny Villareal MataChief warrant officer35Pecos, TexasLori PiestewaPrivate first class23Tuba City, ArizonaCaptured alive, but succumbed to her injuries. The first Native American woman in history to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military. Posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Prisoner of War Medal.Brandon SloanPrivate19Bedford Heights, OhioDonald WaltersSergeant33Kansas City, MissouriCaptured alive, but later summarily executed. Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for gallantry with marked distinction.
Two soldiers from the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, Specialist Edward J. Anguiano, 24, of Brownsville, Texas, and Sergeant George Edward Buggs, 31, of Barnwell, South Carolina, were also killed in action with the 507th Maintenance Company after falling back in the column to assist the 507th with vehicle recovery.
Prisoners of war
The following soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company were captured and held as prisoners of war (POWs): Name Rank Age Hometown NotesEdgar HernandezSpecialist21Mission, TexasAwarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.Joseph HudsonSpecialist23Alamogordo, New MexicoAwarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.Shoshana JohnsonSpecialist30El Paso, TexasAwarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.Jessica LynchPrivate first class19Palestine, West VirginiaAwarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.Patrick MillerPrivate first class23Wichita, KansasAwarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.James RileySergeant31Pennsauken, New JerseyAwarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal.
Wounded in action The following soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company were wounded in action: Name Rank Hometown NotesCurtis CampbellSergeantBrooklyn, New YorkAwarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.Francis CaristaCorporal Awarded the Purple Heart.James GrubbSpecialistManchester, KentuckyAwarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.Tarik JacksonStaff sergeantMiami, Florida Awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.Damien LutenCorporal Awarded the Purple Heart.
Escaped capture The following soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company were noted to have escaped capture by media accounts: Name Rank Hometown NotesAdam ElliottPrivate first class Awarded the Bronze Star Medal.Troy Kent KingCaptain Company Commander of the 507th Maintenance Company.Dale Nace IIIPrivate first class Awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Captain King's driver.Mark NashChief warrant officer Awarded the Silver Star.Nicholas PetersonSpecialistDallas, Texas Awarded the Bronze Star Medal.Matthew RoseSergeantSalem, OregonAwarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.
Notes
References The Oregonian, Left Behind, 13 April 2003. Texas Senate Resolution 50, recognizing 13 members of the 507th Maintenance Company