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Proclamation recognizing and commending Marine Captain Joseph Bertagna for his dedication to this country and its citizens, his bravery and skill that is reflective of the United States Marine Corps, and his actions that resulted in his receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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WHEREAS, this Country is blessed with individuals who provide untiring service to the United States as members of the United States Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard; men and women who give unselfishly of themselves to serve their country proudly, freely, and valiantly; and
WHEREAS, Marine Captain Joseph Bertagna is one such man whose bravery in rescuing ground troops in eastern Afghanistan in July of 2003 has led to his receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal, the nation's highest honor for achievement in flight; and
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2003, Captain Bertagna and Captain Geoff Warlock were assigned to make contact and monitor a seven-vehicle ground patrol during a sweep, a fairly usual assignment; however, after being called away briefly and returning, Captains Bertagna and Warlock learned that the group had been ambushed and were now pinned down by machine-gun and small-arms fire; and
WHEREAS, the soldier communicating with the officers could not tell them his location, but was able to mention a major road nearby; using the road as a guide, Captain Bertagna dropped the Harrier that he was flying low to make himself visible to the ground troops which also made him open to attacks from the Taliban surface-to-air missiles, a move that went against the rule book; and
WHEREAS, once Captain Bertagna received the bearings from the ground troops, he turned and launched an attack on the enemy position, firing his weapons for the first time in combat, causing the attackers to flee; providing coordinates to medical helicopters so that they could get to the three injured soldiers, he then continued to fly low in a show-of-force pass to preclude further attacks and protect the medical helicopters; and
WHEREAS, Captain Bertagna's bravery and quick thinking saved the lives of two American soldiers and one Afghani soldier; his actions distinguished him in combat by reflecting his heroism while participating in an aerial flight, which resulted in his earning the Distinguished Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, Captain Bertagna, a native of Coopersburg, PA, is currently serving as a Marine Recruiter in Pittsburgh, before he returns to the front lines in March of 2006; his presence in Pittsburgh allows this County and Council to acknowledge his extraordinary bravery and proud service and the exceptional difference that he made in the lives of those soldiers in Afghanistan in July of 2003;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby recognize and commend Marine Captain Joseph Bertagna for his dedication to this country and its citizens, his bravery and skill that is reflective of the United States Marine Corps, and his actions that resulted in his receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross. For this honor, and for the service he provides to this great Country, we do hereby bestow our highest commendation upon Marine Captain Joseph Bertagna and express our sincerest gratitude for his service.