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A pin depicts U.S. Army Pfc. Andrew Small, of Wiscasset, who was killed in action in Nangalam, Afghanistan, Aug. 11, 2006. Members of the Small family wore the pin to the Wiscasset Memorial Day service. |
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Wiscasset residents Cindy and Terry Small attend the Wiscasset Memorial Day service with their granddaughter Mirolee. The Smalls are the parents of Pfc. Andrew Small, a posthumous recipient of the Silver Star for his actions in Afghanistan. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
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By Charlotte Boynton
Pfc. Andrew Small, of Wiscasset, died in Nangalam, Afghanistan, Aug. 11, 2006, when his platoon came under fire by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. Each year since his death, his parents, Cindy and Terry Small, have attended the Memorial Day service in Wiscasset, where Small’s name is engraved on the veterans monument.
During this year’s Memorial Day service, the Small family was invited to hang the wreaths in front of the monument. The Smalls and their granddaughter, Mirolee, were each wearing a pin with a photo of their hero.
Small joined the U.S. Army at 19, shortly after graduating from Wiscasset High School. He was attached to the First Battalion 32nd Infantry Regiment, of the 10th Mountain Division.
He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his bravery. According to the narrative presented with the Silver Star, “PFC Small was a gunner in the lead element of a 22-man platoon on patrol in the mountains of Nuristan, Afghanistan. Three hours into the patrol, the enemy ambushed the Americans, waiting until the patrol’s point man had passed their concealed position before opening fire. Three Americans were killed immediately and the remainder of the platoon was pinned down. The cover available was to hug the side of the mountain, which did not allow his squad to return fire. His team leader, Sergeant Smallwood was hit, leaving him seriously wounded and exposed to enemy fire. PFC Small exposed himself and laid down suppressive fire against the well fortified enemy position. By doing this, he drew fire to his own position, but he refused to seek cover. This action allowed his team leader to drag himself over a cliff to cover. Even though PFC Small was wounded he got back up and continued to lay down suppressive fire, refusing to seek cover or medical aid until he was able to maneuver his squad out of the kill zone. He continued to engage and be engaged by the enemy who outnumbered him by seven to one. This allowed the rest of the platoon and close air support to suppress and kill the enemy. When the patrol leader was able to move to PFC Small’s position, he found him laying in the trails, weapon in his hands, orientated toward the enemy and out of ammunition. PFC Small’s sacrifice directly saved the lives of three other squad members, and denied the enemy an opportunity to pursue its advantage over the pinned Americans.”
Memorial Day is a day of observance, not a day of celebration. The true purpose of Memorial Day is to recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country. Pfc. Andrew Small made that sacrifice at the age of 20.
