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 Norman Yleizah, our adopted son, pictured here on the right with two other Micronesian soldiers, is serving in Kuwait.
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Saipan soldier to receive Bronze Star, Purple Heart
By Alexie Villegas Zotomayor
Variety Features Editor
FOR steering his vehicle to safety to protect his comrades and for sustaining injuries doing his stint in Iraq, a Saipan soldier is finally getting the recognition that he deserves — a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star (with a V device).
Finally, after waiting for his comrades from Echo Company, of the 66th Brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division to come home from their mission, Pfc. Josh Stein, 23, will be receiving his military decorations on Feb. 9 (Saturday Saipan time) at Fort Hood, Texas.
Joining Stein for the presentation ceremony at Fort Hood will be the soldiers with whom he shared the mission in Iraq, his father Jesse, mother Sandra Kaulaity, aunt Angie Stein, grandparents Jesse and Selena Stein, and uncle Lt. Col. Harry Blanco. Jesse Stein, Josh’s father, also confirmed the attendance of NMI’s Washington Representative Pete Tenorio.
In a previous interview, Stein told Variety that he had been offered to receive his purple heart several months ago; however, he declined because he wanted all his comrades to return from their mission first.
“They’re the guys I went to mission with. It meant so much to me to wait for them. I have so much respect for them,” said Pfc. Stein.
Stein also said that, in his unit, he was one of two who got injured in Iraq with the other soldier hit a by a sniper bullet in the face and is now recovering.
His father, Jesse Stein, in a phone interview yesterday, said: “Josh was asked so many times by so many senior officers if he would like to receive his Purple Heart during his recovery. But he has declined so many times and keeps letting them know that he would receive it when his unit gets back from the war.”
According to the elder Stein, Josh’s comrades returned from their mission in December 2006.
“Now is that time (to receive his Purple Heart) as all his fellow soldiers will be there to share this moment. He wanted to wait and also give thanks to those that were there to assist him with first aid, getting him through his ordeal,” said the elder Stein.
Stein, who was driving a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Taji, Iraq on Easter Sunday in April 2006, despite the shrapnel that had shredded his body, mustered the courage to maneuver the vehicle to the safety of an embankment to spare his comrades from injuries.
Stein, who lost both his legs in action, will be receiving a Purple Heart for the injuries he sustained while another decoration, the Bronze Star with a V device will be awarded him for his noble act of securing the safety of his comrades.
The Bronze Star medal is an individual military decoration awarded for bravery, and is the fourth highest combat award in the U.S. Armed Forces. Only three other wartime medals rank higher: the Distinguished Service Cross, The Silver Star, and The Medal of Honor.
As for his Bronze Star Medal with a V device, the “V” device, denotes participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. To qualify for the award, the soldier must have extreme courage demonstrated in attaining a noble end.
Pfc. Stein was recommended by his superiors for the medal with a “V” device for protecting the lives of his fellow soldiers without considering his own.
Even while being treated for his injuries, Pfc. Stein was even asking if his fellow soldiers in the vehicle were safe.
“This is something that was recognized by his superiors and his peers when they did the report (on the incident) and saw what action he took,” said the elder Stein.
As his son receives two medals on Saturday, Jesse Stein said, “I am proud of Josh and all that he has sacrificed for his country and for representing his island.”
He also said that Josh “holds his head high when he talks about Saipan when they ask him about it. I am very proud of him.”
When asked how his son felt about receiving his award, Stein said, “He’d rather have his legs back.”
Despite losing his legs, the young Stein never gave up. He fought hard for his life, recovered, and is now undergoing intensive therapy. Recently, he figured prominently in the Paralympics.
When asked from where he draws the courage to go on, Stein said: “I get courage from my family. It is the way my family raised me, to never give up. If I want to do something, I put all my heart into it.”
When he goes back to Saipan, Stein said, “I really want to coach football and baseball. I want to teach the kids what I have learned and be a role model to them.”
He also said he wants to encourage the children to stay in school. He advises them that “no matter what happens, always keep pushing, test your limits. Break the limits. Then you will know that you have succeeded.”
Now, Pfc. Stein is back “on his feet” again.
“I am actually walking to my ceremony. I worked really hard to get to the point where I could walk and do my own thing — be self-sufficient. I undertook a lot of training, a lot of work. There is nothing to hold me back,” said Pfc. Stein.
He has been working out twice a day, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and has been doing all kinds of exercises to get his body going again.
“I started walking three weeks ago on my shorter legs. In order for me to get my knees (prosthetic legs) I needed to pass the assessment of doctors and physical therapists,” said Stein. He also said, “It is my doctors who said that I am ready to take the next step.”
When fully recovered, Stein said that he is longing to go back home, to Saipan and play football. His father also confirmed this: “For the men in the CFL, get ready. When he comes back, he is going to play.”
He also said that Josh is close to his uncle John Blanco of the CFL.
He acknowledged the role that the men in the Commonwealth Football League played in his life. “They taught me a lot about myself. They not only taught me football, they also taught me about life.”
He also paid tribute to his relatives, and especially, his father Jesse Stein who has taught him to never give up.
Jesse and Josh Stein also wished to convey their condolences to the family of another fallen soldier, Adam Emul.
The elder Stein recalled that when Josh found out the sad news, “he felt really down, closed his eyes, and prayed. That kind of hurt him a bit,” he said.
Pfc. Stein told Variety that his heart goes out to the family. “It is always sad to hear that one of my brothers has been killed in action.”
His advice for soldiers about to be deployed to Iraq, “Do a good job and make sure to pay attention. Don’t be complacent and never deviate from the mission.”
As for the families of the soldiers, he asks them to pray for the soldiers “to have the strength while they are gone and be able to return home safe.”
If he could turn back the hands of time and be asked to go to Iraq, Stein said that he’d definitely go. “I’d still go. For me it is a duty I had to do. I have to serve my country.”
The elder Stein said that Josh can now drive to work all by himself. “It is comforting to know that he is progressing. The day will come when he will tell me ‘Dad I can take care of myself now’.”
“I believe in his will to move on in life and as long as he is improving, it makes me proud as a parent to see him each and every day,” said Jesse Stein.
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