Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Lee H. Maddox had graduated from high school and had completed a year and a half of college. He wasn't real confident that his studies were helping him get to where he wanted to be. He thought his situation over carefully. He was in Memphis, TN attending classes and was sure he needed to make a change.

In January 2001, he pulled his car into a parking lot in one of the Armed Services Recruiting Centers in Memphis. Lee was sort of impatient. He wanted something right now, something useful, and somewhere he could simply serve. The US Army recruiter had the best deal at the time. He found a slot for Lee in a nearby Army Reserve unit.

By May 2001, Lee was in the US Army Reserve. He headed to Initial Entry Training (IET) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. It wasn't far from Memphis. He said that once in the area of the Army post, the bus stopped and some Drill Sergeants got aboard. Their presence was of friendly soldiers who were there to help the new people. That tone changed soon, moving from friendly words to boisterous intimidation!

On arrival at the rather famous Army installation, Lee was asking "what the hell have I just gotten myself into?" The not-quite-soldiers found out where they would be living and eating. He got the typical haircut and uniform issue. (Everything fit but the underwear – cost him eight weeks of readjustment.)

Lee found out he wanted to be there! He knew it wasn't going to be a pleasant deal, but there was some adventure and challenge – it might even be fun! The new troops were lined up for some serious marching to get to a training area and back. Lee was ready! He hoped they didn't see the grin on his face, but he wanted this stuff! He's about 6'3", around 220 lbs. IET was nothing he couldn't do.

Lee wore glasses. The Army issued glasses for those in need. The frames didn't fit very well on his head so he invented a way to tie the frames then loop the connecting string over his head. The plan worked great until they were doing an exercise movement called "Iron Mikes" where the subject executes lunges. Starting from a position of attention, the BNG falls to the ground, catching himself with his hands before its too late. He pulls his feet up under him, resumes the position of attention, then drops again, making about 3 to 4 feet of progress at a time. One had to get in line and wait until it was his turn for the exercise that went about 2 miles. Lee's glasses fit so tight that the lens fogged up from the physical exertion. Lee grabbed the glasses and flung them away. A Drill Sergeant was watching... Lee finished the exercise but the Drill Sergeant directed him to go find the glasses and go to the back of the line and do it again. Dang!

Lee learned good lessons about teamwork in IET. In that he excelled in the long marches, he and other leaders would move to the back and help other less-able soldiers along. Lee's Drill Sergeant had been through Ranger Training before becoming a Drill SGT. He frequently came to the barracks and told the recruits stories of his experiences.

Lee graduated IET and went on to truck driving school which was also presented at Fort Leonard Wood. On completion of the training, he returned to Tennessee and resumed his civilian job. In that he went to IET in May 2001 and on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) right afterwards, the calendar is now showing late August 2001.

Lee is back at his civilian job now when someone at the work site told him to come watch the TV. It was 11 Sep 2001. America was being attacked...

Lee's unit announced that all available Reservists respond to their Unit Headquarters ASAP. His Reserve unit was called up for two weeks to support an operation in Atlanta, GA. Lee liked the fact that he was back in the Army, on Active Duty. He decided to request that he get on an Active Duty status.

In a short time, he was in a Main Support Battalion (MSB) in Germany! This piece of living the dream was just what he wanted! He drove Heavy Equipment Transports for about a year. This huge truck hauls the M1A1 Abrams tank. While assigned to this unit, Lee also became qualified on several weapons including the M-2 50 cal maching gun.

The MSB was scheduled to rotate into the Iraq theater of operations. After their "getting used to the situation"time in Kuwait, the MSB moved on to an area west of Baghdad. Their work was centered on timely delivery of logistics packages to deployed units. One event that Lee remembered was that a local contractor met up with the traveling trucks. The contractor told the leaders that there was a short cut if they would take a particular route. Following the advice of the contractor, the unit went ahead. Lee was driving the HET which had an Abrams Tank on its trailer. Because of this narrow, unauthorized roadway, anything in the way would be hit. The Mercedez-Benz driven by the contractor was in the way...yes, it did get crushed! Oops.

Lee drove a variety of vehicles in his deployments. In this first deployment to Iraq, Lee's unit came under fire along a supply route. The vehicle he was in struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Lee was blown out of the vehicle. He thinks he laid unconcious for about 45 minutes. This was very likely his first Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The unit he was assigned to was redeployed to the 'States'. There was time to re-group and stand down for a while.

Lee was then re-assigned to the 110th Cav. This was a subordinate unit of the 4th Infantry Division. It was a fully deployable unit that had war-fighting assets of its own. This unit could deploy quickly to any area and be capable of engaging the enemy with decisive force. The unit had a special mission for several seasoned soldiers. Lee was one of those soldiers. They were to train to become competant experts on removing IEDs from the roadsides of routes traveled by US forces.

The effort was termed "Iron Claw". The men would train on a primary vehicle called a "buffalo". Its official title was MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle). It is a wheeled vehicle, featuring a long mechanical arm used for ordnance disposal. Lee was trained to operate the vehicle and it's capabilities. The one assigned to Lee and his fellow soldiers was rocked several times by explosives it drove over. On a positive side, the 23 ton vehicle located and detonated 52 IED's, helping keep things safe for follow-on soldiers.

While the Iron Claw was deployed, it slowly poked and raked the soil in and around the vehicle, seeking IEDs. None were found and it was time to return to the Forward Operating Base. The Buffalo MRAP doesn't turn on a dime. It slowly, incrementally changes direction, just not right now. As it was turning, Lee -being in the back part of the vehicle – raised a hatch door opening on the top of the vehicle so he could see what was going on.

His left hand opened the hatch. Suddenly, the unit came under fire. One of the men in the MRAP hollered to close the hatch, make it safe. At that time, Lee's left hand was hit by a round from a flare gun. The orange ball hit the palm of his hand. He reflexively brushed the red-hot metal from his hand but the intense part went to his chest. Also on his chest was the bullet proof vest carrying several magazines of .556 bullets. If the heat ball hit the magazines of ammo, they would explode and hit anything in the way – including fellow soldiers. Lee was able to snatch the heat ball and flung it outside the WRAP. The men remained in place to finish the firefight. As things settled, Lee was placed in the back of the vehicle. A very young medic attended to him. The medic's first question was: "on a one to ten, what would you assess your pain level at?" His hand was still smoking and smelled almost like BBQ!

The attending Physicians Assistant evaluated Lee's left hand. He told Lee that he would have to be flown to the US medical facility at Landstuhl, Germany where they would probably have to amputate the left hand. Lee objected! There was no place in Lee's future for a prosthetic hand. He ordered (?) the Doc to fix it.

After a few days of rest and observation, the wound became swollen and started to emit some puss. This meant that the underlying structure was still alive and was expelling poisons.

The Physicians Assistant (Doc Johnson) subsequently performed two surgeries on the hand, saving it. While in recovery, Lee was bandaged up and volunteered for work in the supply room just to help the unit. After two months recovery, Lee wanted back into the fight. It was time to "get some" (military talk for payback). The event was successfully carried out!

In time, the unit re-deployed Stateside. The Fourth Infantry Division piece called the 110th CAV was sent on to Fort Carson, CO. Lee got very involved in building the new unit. As a result of all the attacks and firefights, Lee suffered an injured right knee. Although it was operated on and re-hab had happened, the mobility problem persisted. Lee was medically retired.

Lee earned the Combat Action Badge, several Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals, the Expeditionalry Medal, and many others.

SGT Lee Maddox, you excelled when your Country called on you! You are a successful man and your service is appreciated!