Camarillo soldier in Iraq returns home

5th Infantry Division Army specialist served 13 months

March 19, 2005

Army Spc. Jacob Michael Ford, 21, of Camarillo has recently returned safely from a 13-month deployment to Iraq with the 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

Ford is the third son of John and Theresa Ford of Camarillo. His family attended a recent welcome home ceremony for Jacob and his 2nd Brigade Combat Team TF 1-14INF Comrades-In-Arms at Wheeler AAF in Oahu, Hawaii. He is coming home to Ventura County on Friday in time for his brother John's April 9 wedding.

Ford is assigned to 1-14 Infantry Battalion "Golden Dragons" based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. While in Iraq, he was part of his division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team and served as mortar infantryman and M240 SAW gunner. During his deployment, Ford participated in extensive combat operations in Najaf, Fallujah, Samarra, Mosul and Kirkuk. The travels of Task Force 1-14INF throughout Iraq became known popularly as the "Golden Dragons' Iraqi Tour 2004," John Ford said.

During deployment, his son earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, awarded to United States Army infantrymen who demonstrate exemplary conduct while engaged in active ground combat against the enemy.

On Sept. 9, Ford was wounded in action near the city of Kirkuk in Northern Iraq, when his convoy came under sudden attack by enemy forces using improvised explosive devices. Though wounded in the attack, Ford directly engaged the enemy, singlehandedly neutralizing the immediate threat to his patrol, and further reducing insurgents' abilities to assault U.S. and Iraqi National Guard forces. For his actions and wounds, Ford was awarded the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device.

The Purple Heart was originally established by Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War. It is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to an individual who, while participating in direct or indirect combat operations against an enemy, is wounded or is killed.

The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to members who distinguish themselves through acts of heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service. The "V" device is awarded for acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

Comments

[Kathleen]

Hello Jacob!!! I miss you! Your parents don't communicate with me at all, so I was not aware that you had been injured. I am so sorry, but I am also so proud of you! You have always been such a good nephew. Please let me know how you are doing. If you can't write to me I will understand, but maybe one of your fellow servicemen will write to tell me how you are. Take care and remember that I wll always love you. Aunt Kathleen

[Kathleen]

I have not heard anything from my nephew Jacob Ford. Is there anyone who can email me please to tell me how badly he was hurt and how he is now. It is not at all his fault that family issues prevent communications. I love him very much and I am very very concerned about him. Thank you in advance for any help ou can offer me.

[Jack R.]

Thank you for your service, your story is touching.