U.S. Army Capt. William G. Cromie, a 2005 graduate of Providence College and its ROTC Program, received the prestigious Silver Star honor during a recent ceremony at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Cromie was awarded the nation's third-highest honor for valor during combat for his bravery during a November 16, 2007, ambush. The medal was presented by Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force 101.

Cromie was acting as platoon leader in Company A, 173rd Special Troops Battalion, last fall in the Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan when his troops were sent to investigate a possible roadside bomb in the vicinity.

 "While traveling down the road, our first vehicle struck an IED [improvised explosive device]," he recalled. "Immediately, we were ambushed on three sides by heavily-armed militants."

Two of his soldiers managed to position themselves so that they could provide covering fire for the platoon. When these two men were pinned down and began running out of ammunition, Cromie secured additional rounds and ran through small-arms crossfire to resupply them.

The men then called for air support and went on the offensive, forcing the enemies to retreat to a fortified compound. The paratroops then cleared the compound and secured the situation.

Cromie credited his fellow soldiers for their actions in handling the ambush.
"I really would like to thank the squad leaders-they really acted professionally even under a stressful situation like that-and the guys in 3rd Platoon for their bravery," he said.

Cromie's actions came as no surprise to those who knew him during his time at Providence College. Dr. Richard M. Battistoni, professor and department chair of political science and professor of public and community service studies, said the political science major was an involved and analytical student.

"Will was in two of my classes, including the senior Capstone Seminar in PSC, which was a course on The Politics of Education," said Battistoni. "I remember Will quite well, as a strong and thoughtful student who was able to make practical applications of concepts to the real world of politics. He was an extremely dedicated and diligent student, always engaged and well-prepared."

Battistoni said Cromie had strong leadership qualities as a student.

"I remember he volunteered to lead the first student-led session in my Capstone class, which took some courage and initiative, though nothing like what he has shown in Afghanistan. I was so thrilled to hear that he has been awarded the Silver Star!" he said.