COBA Member
Recognized for Military Service in Iraq
Gordon
Spears is a ten year
member of the Police Benevolent Association COBA
Chapter. He has been employed
with the Georgia Department of Corrections for
15 years. Spears currently serves as a
lieutenant at Lee Arrendale State Prison.
Spears served 13 years in the
Marine Corp until 1993. He then joined the
Georgia Army National Guard and currently holds
the rank of Sergeant First Class. Gordon Spears
presently serves as a combat infantry
instructor. SFC Spears has 28 years
of military service, 6 deployments, and 3 combat
tours. On November 11, 2008 at a Veterans Day
Ceremony in Blairsville Georgia, he will be
presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for
his actions in Iraq with the 48th Brigade. Shari
Spears, his wife of 25 years, will pin on his
medal.
The citation reads in part:
Staff Sergeant Spears distinguished himself through exceptionally meritorious achievement and exemplary service while serving as a platoon sergeant for Headquarters Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. His service was in keeping with the highest traditions of our profession and is typical of that which he has demonstrated throughout his military service.
While serving at Camp Stryker, Staff Sergeant Spears was the wingman for both the Executive and Commanding Officer on 235 combat patrols within Area of Operations Devil on Main Supply Route Tampa.
On several patrols that he was on an Improvised Explosive Device was either found or detonated on one of the vehicles in the patrol. Staff Sergeant Spears not only conducted combat patrols but also managed the Tactical Operating Center for the Company.
Staff Sergeant Spears expertly divided his limited number of soldiers in order to balance combat operations, tactical operating center operations, and support operations. Staff Sergeant Spears pulled double duty by both conducting combat patrols and serving shifts as the Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Tactical Operating Center.
Staff Sergeant Spears’ leadership enabled the Tactical Operating Center to operate smoothly and report efficiently allowing higher headquarters to easily obtain a picture of the battlefield in Area of Operation Assassin.
Staff Sergeant Spears set the example in his platoon for care and management of equipment as well as soldier discipline. Staff Sergeant Spears consistently demonstrated his ability to get the job done and complete the mission. Staff Sergeant Spears represents the spirit of the warrior ethos and is a model infantry combat leader.