Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Christian Bauzo

Operation Iraqi Freedom | 1st Battalion, 4th Marines

After the bitterly fought Battle of Najaf, Christian Bauzo's next operation was at the town of Kufa. He was disappointed that his squad was placed in a blocking position rather than at the point. Part 1 of 2. (Caution: strong language) (6:51)
He was on point. It was the middle of the night in the middle of the street in Kufa, a small Iraqi town. Christian Bauzo heard the RPG's coming. After three of them missed him, he decided he might be better off back with the other guys. Part 2 of 2. (Caution: strong language) (6:05)
How do you feel when you come home from war having faced death and beaten it? Christian Bauzo felt like Superman for a while. He would not have to face combat in his next deployment, a tour aboard ship. (4:28)
After two combat tours in Iraq, Christian Bauzo was able to transfer to the trailer platoon. This was a support unit for Force Recon, the special forces of the Marine Corps. This was great because he trained and worked with them. (7:56)
With a baby coming and considering the quality of some of the leadership he'd experienced, Christian Bauzo decided to get out. He left the Marine Corps behind but held close the memories of his comrades, those who lived and those who died. (Caution: strong language) (9:50)
Christina Cross

Operation Iraqi Freedom | 486th Civil Affairs Battalion

Growing up with both parents as Marines, Christina Cross grew up with a military influence in her family that caused her to want to join. Living on a military base as a kid was very influential for her and helped give her a sense of what it was like. She still remembers the influence that 9/11 had on her life and desire to join the service. (6:14)
Working in Civil Affairs, it's essential to understand the nuances of what is going on in the place you're deployed. Christina Cross made sure she was well-versed in the intellectual part as well as the physical training. Being given the honor graduate award at airborne school meant a lot to her. (7:37)
After returning to college after airborne school, Christina Cross prepared herself physically and mentally for the prospect of heading off to war. More training at Fort Polk and Fort Benning got her ready for her deployment to Ramadi, Iraq. (5:34)
First arriving in Iraq, Christina Cross and her battalion had to adjust to life in the desert. She was tasked with working with the Iraqis to improve the local schools which had suffered from the war. Her experiences with the Iraqi people were also memorable. (8:31)
Being a female soldier in Iraq allowed Christina Cross to be very influential especially among the women & children that they came in contact with. By learning what Iraqi women were good at, they were able to create a Women's Business Center that let the women sew, knit and create products that they were later able to sell at the bazaar. (5:20)