811th Ordnance Company Army Reserve soldiers recognized for flood rescue assistance

By Capt. Sean Delpech
310th Expeditionary
Sustainment Command
DANIELS, W.VA. (Dec. 5, 2016) – “These Soldiers showed up when the call was made, and it was an important chance to demonstrate all the skills and caring that the 811th brings to the table.”
These words, from 1st Lt. Nicholas T. Krantz, commander of the 811th Ordnance Company, were part of the award ceremony recognizing the Army Reserve Soldiers of the unit, Dec. 3.
The Soldiers were recognized for their role in providing life-saving assistance to Rainelle during the historic flooding of 24 June through 27 June, 2016, with Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Certificates of Achievement, and coins.
“We had the opportunity to help out the community, that’s given us so much, in a time of need,” continued Krantz.
Maj. Gen. Leslie (Les) J. Carroll, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Russell P. Smith and Andrea “Andy” Pendleton, mayor of Rainelle, recognized the Soldiers of the unit for their actions during the 321st Ordnance Battalion Dining Out at The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels.
Approximately 14 Soldiers from the 811th volunteered to brave flooding waters and mud slides around the city of Rainelle, stepping out of the traditional federal function of the Army Reserve to provide rescue operations, route clearance, and shelter, in partnership with the town of Rainelle.
“It is truly an honor for me to be here today to represent the Army Reserve in recognizing the significant actions of these great American Soldiers and members of the community,” said Smith.
Flooding reached historic proportions in the area, causing massive amounts of property damage and endangering thousands of lives, prompting Pendleton, the town mayor, to request emergency assistance from the Army Reserve unit.
“These Soldiers came to the aid of their community because there’s something in their DNA where they see it as their duty to assist others, not only to perform their duty but to serve their community,” continued Smith.
The Soldiers of the 811th Ordnance Company became part of a coordinated emergency response effort, using military equipment to clear debris and transport residents to safety. The unit also housed and fed town residents that were displaced by the flooding in the area.
Forty-four counties in the state of WV were under a declared state of emergency from the high flooding, with many receiving the worst flooding on record. Approximately 500,000 residents initially lost power, with many residents of the state left homeless, and at least 26 casualties.
The 811th Ordnance Company is an Army Reserve logistics unit headquartered in Rainelle, falling under the 321st Ordnance Battalion, 38th Regional Support Group, 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 377th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC).
Carroll is the commanding general of the 377th TSC, the Army Reserve’s largest operational command with more than 35,000 Soldiers and civilian staff, operating across 35 states in the United States. Carroll, along with Smith, represented Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey, the commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, as key note speaker and presenter for the ceremony.
Smith, the command chief warrant officer of the Army Reserve, has 38 years of combined service in intelligence, counterintelligence and technical surveillance, in the active component and the Army Reserve, and currently represents and advises Army Reserve Command on matters pertaining to manning, resourcing, organizing, developing, administering, mobilizing, and demobilizing warrant officers within the Army Reserve.