WHNT News 19 | Fighting For You: Former Soldier Insists He Deserves Awards, Army Disagrees

Fighting For You: Former Soldier Insists He Deserves Awards, Army Disagrees
By Venton Blandin | WHNT News 19 | June 21 2012

Our nation has been at war for more than a decade. Thousands of men and women from communities all over have given their lives fighting the enemy. Some were fortunate enough to return home to hug those they love.
Many of them are scarred, not only by injuries, but also memories of what they saw happen on the front lines. One infantryman hurt by IEDs says the U.S. Army owes him something for his scars.

The soldier contacted WHNT NEWS 19′s Venton Blandin to take action!

Danny Kuby believes he deserves a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. Kuby showed WHNT NEWS 19 military records of his injuries from an IED blast, sworn statements by witnesses, recommendations from his superiors and a letter of inquiry by a congressman. None of it convinced the Army to give Kuby what he wants. The Army contends the former specialist does not qualify for the awards.

Kuby grew up in a small Florida town. He moved to Alabama three months after graduating high school. The new graduate became bored and soon joined the Army.

“I felt like I had a reason for being, or had a purpose, you know,” said Kuby.

Kuby would serve his nation four years and pick up the rank of specialist. The specialist’s job was to be an infantryman. Specialist Kuby hit the frontlines in Iraq in 2007.

“It was scary. I can’t tell you. I have never felt closer to God,” said Kuby.

The soldier thought of God at the start of every mission,” added Kuby.

“The whole time I was sitting there, I’d talk to him with my eyes open because most of the time out there I was driving a Stryker,” added Kuby.

Kuby did most of his driving at night. He kept his eyes on a 6″x3″ screen mounted inside the Stryker.

“To see everything in black and white while going down this road is an image that steadily plays in my head. It is a scary thought,” added Kuby.

The events of May 27, 2007 stick out the most. It was the day Kuby’s Stryker hit an IED.

“I saw it being dragged across the road. There was nothing there. I was going at pretty medium speed. It crossed my path directly in front of the vehicle. There was no way I could have stopped to avoid it,” added Kuby.

Kuby tried throwing the Stryker in reverse. He heard the gears grind. It was too late. There was a blast. The IED went through a 17-ton vehicle. Kuby was inside it.

“I saw my family. I saw my son. At the time, my son was the only one born. I left him when he was 7 months old and uh, it….scared…the crap out of me,” added Kuby.

Kuby says that’s why he wants the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. On the surface, it sounds like a reasonable request. The Army lists examples of enemy-related injuries justifying the award of the Purple heart on the internet. The site also shows examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not justify the award.

The Army says Kuby does not deserve the Combat Infantry Badge. A policy put in place in Sepetmber 2001 says a soldier like Kuby must have been engaged in active ground combat, to close with and destroy the enemy with direct fires.

“Wouldn’t you consider an IED blast a direct hit in an effort to close hit, destroy the enemy? I mean, that was our whole mission the whole time we were out there, period. I think I deserve it,” added Kuby.

The Army doesn’t agree. WHNT NEWS 19′s Venton Blandin made calls to Army officials with Kuby’s unit, the Army’s Human Resources Command in Kentucky and at the Pentagon. No one would specifically talk about Kuby’s situation. All say it goes against the Army’s policy. They did suggest we tell Kuby to deal with them directly.

Kuby told us he will deal with the Army. Congressman Robert Aderholt has expressed concerns about Kuby’s situation. We contacted the congressman’s office, but was unable to reach the congressman. We will be talking with Rep. Aderholt’s office again soon.

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