12-841 Urging Medal of Honor for Retired Sergeant Chris Tschida,r '~
CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION N0.
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BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BIRD, HOAGLUN, ROUNTREE, ZAREMBA
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MERIDIAN, TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, IN THE NAME OF CONGRESS, TO
AWARD RETIRED SERGEANT CHRIS TSCHIDA THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR
DISTINGUISHING HIMSELF THROUGH CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND
INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF
DUTY, OR THE HIGHEST APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION.
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2005, Idaho native and current Meridian resident Army Sergeant
Chris Tschida and the three crew members of his tank were patrolling route "Michigan" between
Ramadi and Fallujah in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq while conducting operations under Operation
Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Tschida, along with his loader, were standing watch in the gun turret,
watching for enemy activity while the tank driver and a Lieutenant were inside the tank preparing for a
mission later that night. The loader shifted his body and accidentally knocked his water bottle down
inside the tank and while lowering himself inside the tank to pick up the water, an insurgent used the
opportunity to attack by throwing two enemy grenades inside the tank; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Tschida could hear the grenades fall in the tank and instantly found one,
yelling "grenade!" to his crew members while retrieving one grenade to put into the tank's breach to
absorb the blast. In this process, the grenade exploded and amputated Sgt. Tschida's left hand. Moments
later the second grenade exploded inside the tank, severely wounding Sgt. Tschida and two of the other
crew members; and
WHEREAS, still conscious, Sgt. Tschida began assessing the damage inside the tank, but was
unable to see because of the smoke and fre caused by the grenade. Sgt. Tschida attempted to key the
microphone on his radio to call for support and report the enemy attack when he noticed his left hand
was missing. Sgt. Tschida wrapped the stump of his hand into his shirt and began checking the status of
his tank and fellow soldiers. At first glance Sgt. Tschida saw his Lieutenant slumped over and
unconscious with his head resting on the .50 caliber sight. The Lieutenant was bleeding heavily from
his eye socket and appeared to be dead; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Tschida then noticed his loader, hanging half way out of the tank's turret,
missing both legs from the knees down. Sgt. Tschida shook his Lieutenant to see if he was alive, at
which time the Lieutenant let out a gasp of air that confirmed he was not dead; and
WHEREAS, an evaluation of the tank also confirmed the ammunition bay had been busted
open from the grenade blast and the tank ammunition was at risk of catching fire and exploding.
Knowing he and his fellow soldiers were not safe inside the tank, Sgt. Tschida pulled himself out of the
hatch and then began pulling his loader out of the tank. Once his loader was safely out of the tank, Sgt.
Tschida began pulling his Lieutenant out of the commander's hatch of the tank. Once both soldiers were
safely out of the tank, Sgt. Tschida began administering first aid by tying a tourniquet on both of the
RESOLUTION URGING MEDAL OF HONOR FOR RETIRED SERGEANT CHRIS TSCHIDA PAGE l OF 2
loader's le s and b stuffing a field bandage inside of the eye socket of the Lieutenant to stop the
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bleeding from his head; and
WHEREAS, while caring for both soldiers, Sgt. Tschida did a security check of his area. At
this time an enemy insurgent, believed to be the one who attacked Sgt. Tschida's tank, engaged Sgt.
Tschida while he was administering first aid to his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Tschida was able to repel the
enemy assault with his M9 service pistol, killing the hostile force; and
WHEREAS, knowing they were in imminent danger, Sgt. Tschida attempted to get the driver
of the tank to respond to his commands, but the soldier was in shock and unresponsive. After beating
on the hatch and pleading with the driver to respond, the driver opened the driver's hatch and began
receiving commands from Sgt. Tschida. At this time, Sgt. Tschida commanded the driver to return
them and the tank with its munitions back to the nearest security gate to get help. Sgt. Tschida then
shielded both soldiers with his bod on the surface of the tank until they arrived at a safe location; and
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WHEREAS, all four crew members, including Sgt. Tschida, survived the injuries they
sustained on May 15, 2005, and the tank was returned and repaired for future use. To this day, Sgt.
Chris Tschida has not received recognition or accolades for his heroism and steadfast leadership on
May 15, 2005.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of
Meridian, Idaho, that we urge President Barack Obama, in the name of Congress, to award Retired
Sergeant Chris Tschida the Medal of Honor for distinguishing himself through conspicuous gallantry
and intre idit at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, or the highest appropriate
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recognition.
ST
' ' ' ' ~~ of Februar 2012.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this day y,
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D b the Ma or of the Cit of Meridian Idaho this tai` da of February, 2012.
APPROVE y y y ~ y
APPROVED:
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Mayor am de Weerd
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Coun~il Pr.~si
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uncilmember Keith Bird
ATTEST:
By:
Jaycee I~Holman, City Clerk
Council Vice-President Charlie Rountree
Counci
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ember David Zaremba
RESOLUTION URGING MEDAL OF HONOR FOR RETIRED SERGEANT CHRIS TSCHIDA PAGE 2 OF 2