Friendly fire is a rare but tragic occurrence during wartime. But a Newtown Desert Storm war hero never expected to face the bureaucratic equivalent when he tried to gather paperwork to complete benefit applications forms after his discharge.

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (Conn.-5) recently contacted The Newtown Bee to share the story of frustrations that Newtown resident Daniel Hayes, Jr, faced when trying to resolve a mistake on something called "DD 214" paperwork that was preventing him from receiving his earned veterans' benefits.

According to the congresswoman, a DD 214 is the Department of Defense's official discharge document for all members of the military. The form lists a service member's military record, including the type of discharge, how long he or she served in the military, where he or she was stationed, and the highest ranking he or she achieved.

Mr Hayes was a specialist for the Army who served from 1989 to 1993, earning a Bronze Star - a US military decoration awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement.

The lawmaker explained how Mr Hayes needed his DD 214 paperwork in order to prove he was honorably discharged from the military, and so he could complete the process to begin receiving state veterans' benefits to which he is entitled.

Unfortunately, Mr Hayes and his late father share the same exact name, and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) mistakenly sent him his father's paperwork, causing unforeseen delays and preventing the Newtown veteran from accessing his benefits.

Having heard of Ms Esty's work with other veterans in central and northwest Connecticut, Mr Hayes turned to her for help clearing up the mistake. So the lawmaker reached out to the NPRC to track down the correct paperwork with Mr Hayes name - not his father's - and to ensure the right documents were processed and dispatched.

"Over a year ago, I made a request for my military papers through the NPRC to try and fix a mistake on my DD 214. After numerous exchanges and improper or illegible paperwork, I all but gave up," Mr Hayes related in a release from the congresswoman's office. "I finally asked Representative Esty for assistance and in less than two weeks the problem was resolved, and the proper paperwork was sent to me. Shortly after, I was able to access my state veterans' benefits."

Congresswoman Esty said these types of issues are extremely frustrating to her, and she cannot imagine how hard they can be on deserving veterans who are occasionally forced to endure the backlash of miscommunication or other administrative shortcomings at government agencies.

"Daniel answered the call to service and served our country with honor and distinction," she said. "He shouldn't have to jump through hoops to access the benefits he's earned."

Acknowledging Heroism

At the same time, she reflected on the heroism that the Newtown veteran displayed during combat that qualified him for the Bronze Star. After being contacted by the newspaper about the situation, Mr Hayes related his harrowing experience.

"During the ground war with Iraq's elite Republican Guard soldiers, I was part of a six-man Special Operations team from the United States Army Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Command attached to the 3rd Armored Division," he said. "During a [patrol] one day, we were having trouble with site and location of the enemy as well as our own convoy due to oil fire smoke, gusty sand storms, and much confusion."

Maneuvering behind enemy lines to affect an ambush while fierce Republican Guard soldiers were concentrated on Marines engaging them from the south, Mr Hayes' unit faced friendly fire from their own Apache Helicopters, while at the same time learning that there were dismounted enemy infantry all around their position.

"Our orders were to leave our vehicles and prepare fox holes to get below the bullets flight path since any firing by them was blind due to the visibility problems and total chaos," Mr Hayes recalled. "As my team began to dig in, we realized in 120 degree heat, full Army fatigues covered by [80 pounds of] full protective outfits and flack jackets, that we may not make it in time."

So at his own peril, the Newtown veteran removed all his own protective gear down to his T-shirt, and began digging foxholes one at a time for each of his five colleagues while they covered him with protective fire, digging his own last.

After the fact, the Special Operation Forces veteran seemed to take the harrowing sequence of events in stride.

"I kind of figured either were all going to die or just me, what's the difference," he said, "but it worked out pretty well."

Rep Esty said such a highly decorated veteran did not deserve to return home only to face the kind of obstacles from his own government that effectively blocked his access to state veteran's benefits.

"Daniel put his own life on the line to try to ensure that some or all of the soldiers in his unit would not die out there," she said. "We don't lift up and celebrate enough and honor the valor and courage of people who service in the military. So it's important that we learn about these stories."

Another district veteran Rep Esty met last year was able to, with her assistance, finally receive the medals he was entitled to after serving in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

"I've heard so many of these stories by now that it's become a mission for me," Rep Esty said. "When veterans call, I'm going to do everything in my power to make it right."

Veterans in central and northwest Connecticut who are having difficulty receiving their benefits, or are interested in learning more about receiving their service medals, are encouraged to call Congresswoman Esty's office at 860-223-8412.