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Clayton native honored in Washington
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| Army Staff Sgt. John Aughtman, left, prepares for a routine patrol in March 2007 in Tikrit, Iraq. |
By Chris McCaa Staff Writer
Army Staff Sgt. John Aughtman, a Clayton native, was honored Monday as a grand marshal in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
The long road that led Aughtman from Rabun County through the sands of the Middle East and back to the United States is paved with bravery, loyalty and survival.
On April 22, 2007, about six years after graduating from Rabun County High School, Aughtman was riding in a four-vehicle convoy through the perilous streets of downtown Tikrit, Iraq, during his second deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Aughtman said he was in the last vehicle of the convoy as his platoon was returning to base after a routine patrol. The convoy slowed as it encountered the city's midday traffic. His recollection of the events that followed remain hazy to this day.
"I remember mostly what people tell me about it," he said.
Aughtman said as the convoy slowly progressed through the city streets, two men emerged from an alleyway and threw grenades at his vehicle.
"It hit the side of the vehicle, and I was knocked out for about a minute and a half," he said.
After regaining consciousness, Aughtman said he assessed the condition of his fellow soldiers in the vehicle.
Aughtman said he treated a soldier who incurred serious leg injuries as the driver slipped in and out of consciousness trying to maneuver the vehicle to safety. After returning to the base, the soldiers received medical attention.
Aughtman said his primary concern was the condition of the other men wounded in the attack. At the time, he was unaware he had sustained injuries during the blast. It was not until he looked in a mirror that he realized the extent of his wounds.
"From the top of my head to my shoulder on the right side of my face, I was charred," Aughtman said.
After being treated in Iraq, Aughtman said he was flown to Germany for a more extensive evaluation.
"When I got to Germany, they diagnosed me with traumatic brain injury and found out I had two cracked vertebrae in my neck," he said.
Aughtman said he has continued to feel the effects of the injuries.
"Basically my short-term memory is nonexistent," he said.
Aughtman's wife, Alicia, is simply thankful he is alive. "We're just glad he's here in one piece," Alicia said.
Since his return from Germany to the United States, her husband is making progress physically and cognitively.
"It's been a vast improvement since he's been home," she said.
John Aughtman's mother, Melony Hopper, spoke of the toll it has taken witnessing her son's ordeal.
"I've lived it with him," Hopper said. "From the time he signed up to this day."
Aughtman's actions in assisting his fellow soldiers following the grenade attack earned him a Bronze Star. The prestigious medal is given for acts of valor and meritorious achievement.
He also received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered during his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This was not the first time Aughtman had received a medal for distinguished service in Iraq.
During his first deployment, Aughtman said he was traveling in a similar convoy outside of Fallujah when it came under fire. He said a rocket-propelled grenade detonated near the vehicle ahead of his, sending it rolling into a nearby canal.
Aughtman said he and another soldier immediately jumped from their vehicle and saved their comrades from drowning in the waterway.
"Me and the gunner pulled the guys out," Aughtman said.
For this act, Aughtman was awarded a Soldier's Medal for bravery and heroism outside of hostile contact with the enemy.
Despite his serious injuries, Aughtman still hopes to return to active duty in the future. Until then, Aughtman said he hoped to join the U.S. Army parachute team known as the Golden Knights.
The team performs at air shows, competitions and sporting events in an effort to promote enlistment in the Army.
Aughtman said he wanted to send a message of gratitude to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4570 in Clayton for its support throughout his ordeal.
"We'd really like to tell those guys 'thank you,'" he said.
Before serving two tours in Iraq, Aughtman served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is currently stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he returned home from the hospital May 1.
The long road that led Aughtman from Rabun County through the sands of the Middle East and back to the United States is paved with bravery, loyalty and survival.
On April 22, 2007, about six years after graduating from Rabun County High School, Aughtman was riding in a four-vehicle convoy through the perilous streets of downtown Tikrit, Iraq, during his second deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Aughtman said he was in the last vehicle of the convoy as his platoon was returning to base after a routine patrol. The convoy slowed as it encountered the city's midday traffic. His recollection of the events that followed remain hazy to this day.
"I remember mostly what people tell me about it," he said.
Aughtman said as the convoy slowly progressed through the city streets, two men emerged from an alleyway and threw grenades at his vehicle.
"It hit the side of the vehicle, and I was knocked out for about a minute and a half," he said.
After regaining consciousness, Aughtman said he assessed the condition of his fellow soldiers in the vehicle.
Aughtman said he treated a soldier who incurred serious leg injuries as the driver slipped in and out of consciousness trying to maneuver the vehicle to safety. After returning to the base, the soldiers received medical attention.
Aughtman said his primary concern was the condition of the other men wounded in the attack. At the time, he was unaware he had sustained injuries during the blast. It was not until he looked in a mirror that he realized the extent of his wounds.
"From the top of my head to my shoulder on the right side of my face, I was charred," Aughtman said.
After being treated in Iraq, Aughtman said he was flown to Germany for a more extensive evaluation.
"When I got to Germany, they diagnosed me with traumatic brain injury and found out I had two cracked vertebrae in my neck," he said.
Aughtman said he has continued to feel the effects of the injuries.
"Basically my short-term memory is nonexistent," he said.
Aughtman's wife, Alicia, is simply thankful he is alive. "We're just glad he's here in one piece," Alicia said.
Since his return from Germany to the United States, her husband is making progress physically and cognitively.
"It's been a vast improvement since he's been home," she said.
John Aughtman's mother, Melony Hopper, spoke of the toll it has taken witnessing her son's ordeal.
"I've lived it with him," Hopper said. "From the time he signed up to this day."
Aughtman's actions in assisting his fellow soldiers following the grenade attack earned him a Bronze Star. The prestigious medal is given for acts of valor and meritorious achievement.
He also received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered during his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This was not the first time Aughtman had received a medal for distinguished service in Iraq.
During his first deployment, Aughtman said he was traveling in a similar convoy outside of Fallujah when it came under fire. He said a rocket-propelled grenade detonated near the vehicle ahead of his, sending it rolling into a nearby canal.
Aughtman said he and another soldier immediately jumped from their vehicle and saved their comrades from drowning in the waterway.
"Me and the gunner pulled the guys out," Aughtman said.
For this act, Aughtman was awarded a Soldier's Medal for bravery and heroism outside of hostile contact with the enemy.
Despite his serious injuries, Aughtman still hopes to return to active duty in the future. Until then, Aughtman said he hoped to join the U.S. Army parachute team known as the Golden Knights.
The team performs at air shows, competitions and sporting events in an effort to promote enlistment in the Army.
Aughtman said he wanted to send a message of gratitude to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4570 in Clayton for its support throughout his ordeal.
"We'd really like to tell those guys 'thank you,'" he said.
Before serving two tours in Iraq, Aughtman served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is currently stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he returned home from the hospital May 1.
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