Brothers decorated for combat in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD – Two brothers in the 101st AD were decorated for 2 separate combat actions during their deployment to Afghanistan. One received a Silver Star Medal in Dec., for actions during a 5-day fire fight in Kunar Prov. The other received a Purple Heart in Jan., after a fire fight at FOB Andar.

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Cpl. Joshua Busch was on a mission in Nov., when his platoon was attacked by insurgents. “We got hit pretty hard,” said Josh, the younger brother. “By the end of the first night, I was the highest-ranking soldier in the platoon as a corporal, so I took charge as the platoon sergeant.” By the end of the fight, his platoon of 22 was down to 9 uninjured Soldiers. He was decorated Dec. 7, for his heroic actions during that battle. Sgt. Jason Busch was awarded for his actions about a month later. “The enemy was hiding in a basement in a qalat. Two ANP were going to go in, and I was to follow,” Jason said. “They kicked down the door, and as soon as they started to enter, they both got shot and fell down. I looked in and saw the enemy about 10 feet away. We both started firing at each other at the same time. I got hit as I was getting down into a prone position.” Jason kept firing even after he was shot. “Right away I started coughing up blood and could barely breathe. I shouted for a medic, but they couldn’t help me since the insurgent was in the room in front of me. When I realized they couldn’t get to me, I somehow stood up, stumbled over to the medic and collapsed. Doc, slowing my breathing saved my life. I was medically evacuated about 10 to 15 minutes later.” The Soldiers are proud of each other, and what they had to go through. “When my brother got decorated, I felt a lot of pride for him, but I also felt a lot of sadness for what he had to go through to get that medal,” said Jason. “I wish that I could have been there instead.” Though both were supposed to get out of the Army, they each decided to stay with their platoon for this deployment. Josh extended, and Jason reenlisted for 2 more years. “I actually reenlisted for 4 more years, less than a week before I got shot,” Jason said. “I'm going to stay in and possibly pursue a career as a flight warrant officer.” Josh said that he and his brother have always been close. “My brother joined when I was in high school,” he said. “I think he joined because he knew I was going to, and didn’t want me to go through it alone.” Josh will soon finish his deployment, while Jason is currently recovering in the U.S. “It’s got to be tough on our parents having 2 kids deployed at the same time,” Josh said. “Our mom is a worrier, and she tries to find out anything she can about what we're doing out here. We try not to tell them too much about what goes on out here, to keep them from worrying more.”

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