Staff Sergeant Tommy Rieman
Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient for service with the U.S. Army in Iraq
Recognized by President George Bush at his 2007 State of the Union address
Advocate for PTSD awareness and life after injury
Staff Sergeant (SSG) Tommy Rieman is a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient with more than 14 years of service in the United States Army. Recently returned from his third deployment, twice in Iraq and once to the Balkans, SSG Rieman is currently assigned to D Co 1/116th Infantry of the Virginia Army National Guard based in Pulaski, Va. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, SSG Rieman distinguished himself by acts of conspicuous gallantry and courage under fire while serving as an Assistant Team Leader N Echo, 51st Infantry Long Range Surveillance Company (LRS-C) for which he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart:
On the evening of December 3, 2003, SSG Rieman was on a reconnaissance mission 15 kilometers south of Baghdad Central Confinement Facility (BCCF), or Abu Ghraib. SSG Rieman’s mission was to observe and report any suspicious activity occurring near the home of an alleged former regime loyalist. En route to the Team’s surveillance site, a dug-in, well-armed, numerically superior force ambushed his three-vehicle convoy. SSG Rieman’s HMMWV received heavy small arms fire and shrapnel from propelled grenades.
Exhibiting no concern for his own safety, SSG Rieman used his body to shield his gunner’s exposed legs and lower abdomen. As the engagement ensued and while shielding the gunner, he was able to return a high volume of small arms and 40mm grenade fire on the enemy ambush positions. SSG Rieman received two gunshots wounds, one to the chest, one to the bicep and multiple shrapnel wounds to his torso and legs, sustaining 11 wounds total. Although severely wounded, SSG Rieman continued to shield his gunner and return fire until the convoy was safely out of the kill zone. Again exhibiting no concern for his own well-being, SSG Rieman proceeded to check the members of his team for injuries.
Once out of immediate danger, he moved the team to a position where he could establish security. He personally placed himself between his team and the enemy contact. At this point in the engagement, SSG Rieman was offered but refused medical aid twice from his fellow team members. Shortly afterward, SSG Rieman once again came under heavy fire. He continued to deliver a high volume of small arms fire and 40mm grenade fire while directing the rear machine gun.
After the enemy began to break contact he was ordered to go to the Team Casualty Collection Point. While at the CCP, he again refused medical attention and began assisting the Team Leader with coordination for MEDEVAC and link up with an extraction force. SSG Rieman exhibited extreme calm and communicated accurate instructions during his radio communications with his higher headquarters. He continued to refuse medical attention until the extraction force secured the perimeter and his Team Leader ordered him to stand down.
SSG Rieman later became a video game character and action figure for America’s Army, the official video game for the United States Army. In 2007, SGG Rieman was recognized by President George Bush at the State of the Union address. He is also featured in Halfway Home, a documentary about the struggles soldiers face when they return from war. SGG Rieman serves as an ambassador for USO of North Carolina, and was named 2013 Veteran of the Year by U.S. Veterans Corps. He also sits on the U.S. Army Community Advisory Board in Charlotte, and is actively engaged in the military community, raising awareness about PTSD and life after injury. SSG Rieman resides out of Charlotte, N.C. and has two children, Landon & Ellie. Tommy speaks out about recovering from addiction and PTSD and attempted suicide.