MSU Texas City welcomes crewmember who received Bronze Star
HOUSTON — Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City welcomed a Coast Guardsman who was awarded the Bronze Star to the unit, Friday.
Beginning in Dec. 2010, Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Draughon III, from Slidell, La., volunteered to deploy with U.S. Coast Guard Training and Advisory Team Four, operating in support of the Army’s 36th Infantry Division, at Contingency Operating Bases Basrah and Umm Qasr.
Draughon trained Iraqi Coastal Border Guard personnel in small-boat operations, and small-boat engine operations on the Shatt al-Arab River. At times, Draughon’s training team came under small arms, rocket and mortar fire. The team was escorted by soldiers from the Army’s 36th Infantry Division.
“I would definitely do it again,” said Draughon. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Draughon’s deployment ended in Sept. 2011. The Bronze Star was awarded Oct. 6, 2011.
U.S. Coast Guard Cdr. James Robertson, commanding officer of MSU Texas City, is excited to have Draughon onboard.
“We here at Marine Safety Unit Texas City welcome Petty Officer 1st Class Draughon aboard,” said Robertson. “We are all excited, grateful and humbled to have him as our newest shipmate after successfully completing a highly challenging tour in Iraq. His leadership and experience will serve the unit well."