When Hollister native Jerry Kankelborg became a Navy medic in
2002 he thought that he would be stationed at a military
hospital.
Hollister – When Hollister native Jerry Kankelborg became a Navy medic in 2002 he thought that he would be stationed at a military hospital.
But in 2003 he was sent to Iraq. He spent the last year accompanying Marines as they patrolled the Sunni Triangle, which includes Baghdad and Fallujah.
“I wanted to get medical experience, because I wanted to be a nurse,” said Kankelborg. “But I found myself going on hundreds of convoys and patrols,” as a medic.
On one of those patrols, the team Kankelborg was with came under enemy mortar fire. Half of the team advanced and began a fire fight with the enemy. Kankelborg took control of the other half of the team and moved it toward the smoke, gunfire and grenade blasts and into the fight.
“As we were going up we were getting shot at. Rounds we’re whizzing by our heads. You could hear enemies firing and our guys firing,” he said. “When it happens, it happens. I got into a zone, my adrenaline pumping, and I was running around. We got them.”
Because of what he did that day, Kankelborg, who returned from Iraq this month, he has been recommended for a Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V for valor by one of his commanding officers. The recommendation must be approved by a superior before Kankelborg can receive the award.
“I feel like getting an award is just about being in the right place at the right time,” he said. “Just because some people don’t get written-up for one doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it. I was just doing my job.”
As a combat medic Kankelborg treated, “normal battlefield stuff,” like gunshot wounds and blast injuries, at times leaving himself vulnerable to enemy fire.
“You treat it (a wound) as quick as possible and then get cover,” he said. “It’s really nerve-racking. Every time I get shot at, I feel like I’m going to get shot in the face. It’s unnerving, but you have to expose your face and get out there.”
Despite Kankelborg’s modesty, being recommended for the award, especially with the valor designation, is a high honor.
“It means a lot, for sure. It’s a great achievement,” said Petty Officer Chris Witkowski, a Navy recruiter in Salinas. “You don’t get that just for being around. You have to apply yourself and take pride in what you’re doing.”
Kankelborg’s mother Felicidad didn’t like her son being in Iraq.
“I felt scared all the time,” she said. “That war is the wrong war at the wrong time. We’re losing lots of lives, but we support the troops.”
She is glad, though, that he is safe and being honored.
“I feel very proud. I got goose bumps when he told me,” she said. “I’m very thankful he’s alive.”
Still on active duty, Klankelborg will be on leave until April 25, when he will return to the 29 Palms Marine base located in California’s Mojave Desert. He is expecting that he will be sent back to Iraq within the year.
Luke Roney covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
