22JUL2007: Serving as a medic with 2nd Platoon, Battle Company, 2-503IN, 173d ABN BDE, PFC Juan Restrepo deployed with his unit to the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan in May of 2007. PFC Restrepo and his unit quickly understood they had landed in the heart of enemy country where firefights would become a daily part of life. As a medic, PFC Restrepo was tasked with looking after his platoon both on combat patrols as well as during down time on base. In turn, his job never really stopped, just changed forms. A few months into his deployment, on 22JUL2007, PFC Restrepo was on a patrol when enemy fire erupted all around. Instinctively going to ground for cover, PFC Restrepo then did what a great medic does, he raised his head to see if any of his brothers were hit. In doing so, he was struck by enemy fire and mortally wounded. As his brothers gathered to provide medical aid, PFC Restrepo did his best to relay what these men needed to do to treat him, the normal roles now reversed. PFC Juan Restrepo, age 20, would pass away that day on the MEDEVAC flight. For continually going above and beyond to care for his men, PFC Juan Restrepo would be awarded, posthumously the Bronze Star.

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