Historian comforts son in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luke Johnson
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When a civilian 9th Reconnaissance Wing historian volunteered for duty in Iraq, little did he know he would play a critical role in the recovery of his wounded stepson and help calm his family during a time of crisis.

In August 2006, Chris Mayse, 9th RW historian, left for duty in Iraq with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base to cover the operational mission of the 332nd and the air war in Iraq.

Around the same time, his stepson Army Sgt. Edward Hughes, a combat medic with the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment Reconnaissance, 82nd Airborne Division was scheduled for his second deployment to Iraq.

"I got to Iraq first, and I knew that he was going to be there. I didn't know if he was going to come through Balad," said Mr. Mayse.

However, Mr. Mayse got to spend a little time with his stepson in Balad before he was transported to Forward Operating Base Caldwell.

"When he arrived in country, we got to spend a few hours together before he went down range," Mr. Mayse said.

Mr. Mayse stayed in contact with his stepson via e-mail, and he also got the unique opportunity to know what his unit was doing.

"I knew where he was. I tried to keep an eye on his area during the intelligence briefs I attended," Mr. Mayse said.

One day after returning for a memorial service, Mr. Mayse received a message to call his stepson.

"I had a message that Eddie called," Mr. Mayse said. "I called the number and was surprised when a staff nurse answered the phone. She brought Eddie to the phone and I jokingly said 'Are you a patient?' He said 'I am, kind of.'"

Mr. Mayse immediately drove to the hospital to find out the condition of his stepson.

"I found him in an Intensive Care Unit. The ward had 20 beds and most of the injuries to the Soldiers were from IED blasts," Mr. Mayse said.

According to Mr. Mayse, his son went on a mission to provide medical treatment to some Soldiers injured by an IED. He gave up his seat in a Humvee and decided to sit on the center console area of a recovery vehicle on the ride back to FOB Caldwell. The first Humvee in front of his vehicle drove over an IED with a pressure plate detonator, but it was not heavy enough to set it off. When the recovery vehicle drove over it set off the IED, and it sent shrapnel tearing through the front of the vehicle.

"He didn't remember anything from the blast. He remembers being in the vehicle and then waking up in the hospital. He suffered a severe concussion and lacerations," Mr. Mayse said.

When Mr. Mayse saw his son for the first time, he was sitting upright and he had suffered some short term memory loss. He was also awaiting a possible medical evacuation to either Kuwait or Germany because of the severity of his injuries.

"He was in good spirits when I saw him and was making light of his injuries." Mr. Mayse said. "He asked the floor nurse when he could return to his unit to get back to his people."

Mr. Mayse was fortunate to spend the time needed to help his stepson recover, and he credits the exceptional Air Force leadership that supported him and his son during his stay at the hospital.

"I'm a civilian employee and I got permission to spend as much time as I needed to help him recover without having to use any of my sick leave time," said Mr. Mayse. "The leadership at Balad asked me to provide updates on Ed's condition, and several people stopped by to see him. It was outstanding."

Mr. Mayse was charged with making the dreaded phone call home to his wife and Edward's mother, Terry Mayse, to tell her what had happened to her son.

"I got the call at 2 a.m., and immediately I asked, 'Are you OK and is Eddie OK?'" said Mrs. Mayse, 9th Missions Support Squadron manpower analyst. "I got excited because I thought Chris was visiting Eddie, and then Chris told me what had happened."

Mr. Mayse also got the privilege to meet with other Soldiers in the same ward where his stepson was recovering.

"I had the opportunity to talk to the other Soldiers, everyone had a positive outlook, and they wanted to get the treatment they needed so that they could return to their units," Mr. Mayse said.

Mrs. Mayse felt that her son formed a special bond with her husband in the hospital.

"It made Chris and Eddie closer," said Mrs. Mayse. "Eddie told me that Chris is the only one who truly understands."

Sergeant Hughes was in the hospital for four days before returning to his unit at FOB Caldwell.

"He was on light duty for two weeks after the incident," said Mr. Mayse. "Soon after that he was sent home for his mid tour rest and relaxation, and he was able to be home for Christmas."

Mrs. Mayse felt that having Mr. Mayse in Iraq helped provide the family the needed information to cope with Edward's injuries.

"It made a difference for me as a mother. I got constant updates on Eddie's condition," Mrs. Mayse said "I could then call Eddie's wife, brother, and grandparents to let them know Eddie's condition."

Mr. Mayse strongly feels that his purpose to deploy to Iraq was to comfort his stepson.

"I volunteered for this assignment. I felt it was where I needed to be at that time," Mr. Mayse said.

Mrs. Mayse echoed her husband's feeling on why he served in Iraq, and she was also very grateful for the support her husband provided the family.

"It turned out that he needed to be there for Eddie and the entire family," said Mrs. Mayse. 

Sergeant Hughes is currently at Fort Bragg, N.C., recovering from his injuries sustained in Iraq.