C000464

CSM chevron shaped, gold colored coin, 2 inches high x 1-3/8 inches wide

SIDE 1 - A maroon demi-fleur-de-lis above a maroon Greek cross surmounted by a white cross, all between two green lateral arched oak leaves, stems intwined in base and leaf ends conjoining the outer tips of the demi-fleur-de-lis; along the top edge of the chevron, the words, "AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE"; below the crest, the words, "LIBERTY MEDICS", below which a space in contrasting color suitable for engraving; and at the very bottom, the words, "PRESENTED BY CSM STEVEN A. VILLA", all over a gold background surrounded by a narrow border.

SIDE 2 - A command sergeant major's insignia of rank.

The mission of the 344th Combat Support Hospital is to provide resuscitation, initial wound surgery, and post-operative treatment, return-to-duty those soldiers in the combat zone (CZ) who fall within the corps evacuation policy, and/or stablize patients for further evacuation.

During the period, June 2005 throught May 2006, the unit was deployed as the 344th Medical Task Force to provide detainee healthcare at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. A firsthand account of the unit's activities during the period was published in the book, "Abu Ghraib After the Scandal" authored by Salvatore Anthony Esposito (Published by McFarland & Company).