Private First Class Stephen Tschiderer
Mendon, NY
E Troop, 101st Cavalry, 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry, 256th Brigade Combat Team
Tschiderer, a Mendon, New York, native and a medic with E Troop, wore this body armor vest on July 2, 2005, when he received a shot in the chest from an enemy sniper while on routine patrol with fellow soldiers from E Troop in west Baghdad, Iraq. Tschiderer, knocked to the ground from the bullet’s sudden impact, quickly sprang to his feet and took cover. The protective body armor, a vital part of each soldier’s daily uniform, saved Tschiderer’s life.
Once on his feet, Tschiderer quickly alerted his team and pointed them in the direction of the shot. When two E Troop vehicles maneuvered toward the source, a van suddenly pulled out and began to speed away. A chase ensued until E Troop soldiers fired at the van’s tires and disabled the vehicle. One of the trooper’s rounds ricocheted and hit one of the van’s occupants. The terrorists jumped from the van and began to flee on foot. Tschiderer and his team searched the immediate area, followed the wounded terrorist’s blood trail, and found the two terrorists. As Tschiderer, a medic, secured the wounded terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he provided aid to the wounded man - the very same man who'd tried to take his life.
Coat, desert camouflage pattern, with Interceptor Body Armor and helmet with goggles, 2005