Stephen C. Reich

West Point, 1993

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by USA Baseball Honors Reich on July 20, 2006:

USA Baseball To Honor Steve Reich Courtesy: Army Release: 07/19/2006 Steve Reich DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball will pause from its busy summer schedule Sunday to honor one of the most inspiring individuals to ever wear the National team's uniform when the organization officially retires the uniform number of former Army standout Steve Reich. Reich wore the same familiar uniform number 20 with Team USA that he sported during his playing days at West Point. That uniform number will be officially retired during a ceremony on Sunday at the USA Baseball training center. The ceremony will begin at approximately 4:15 p.m. and first pitch of the USA Baseball National Team versus Korea game is at 5:00 p.m. that evening. In attendance on Sunday will be Steve Reich's parents, Ray and Sue, and Joe Sottolano the head baseball coach at Army. During the ceremony, the family will be presented with Steve's game-used road jersey from the 1993 USA Baseball National Team season. One of the finest pitchers to ever pass through the U.S. Military Academy, Reich gained All-America honors during his time at West Point and went on to compete internationally for Team USA. He was selected by his peers as the flag-bearer for all of Team USA at the 1993 World University Games, highlighting his time with the U.S. National team. "Our organization is proud to have the opportunity to honor Steve Reich with both his family and members of the Army baseball staff in attendance", said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director. "As we retire the number 20 and the USA Baseball National Team takes the field on Sunday, it is a time to remember all of the members of the military who protect our freedoms far from home every day." During his lone season of international competition for Team USA, Reich authored a 2-1 record with a 2.48 ERA in 17 appearances, fanning 38 while walking only three. Two years later, he was assigned to the University of Kentucky ROTC program and played professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles organization. In 1996, he was ordered to Germany where he served as Platoon Leader in Company A, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. During his subsequent tour with the 12th Aviation Brigade, he served in Operation Allied Force, deploying to Hungary, Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo. Upon arrival at the Special Operations Aviation Regiment in 2001, he deployed with the Second Battalion to Operation Enduring Freedom as Battle Captain in support of Task Force Dagger. In December 2001, he served as Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion?s detachment of MH-47E air craft in Afghanistan. Reich then completed a one-year assignment to Daegu, Republic of Korea as the Operations Officer for E Company, 160th SOAR. Reich and 15 other service members were killed in Afghanistan when their MH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by enemy fire while on a rescue mission. His military awards include the Bronze Star (awarded twice), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medial, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Senior Aviator, Airborne and Air Assault Badges. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a third Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with Valor device. In an ironic twist, current Army standout left-hander Nick Hill earned a spot on Team USA's roster this summer, becoming the first West Pointer to represent America on the baseball diamond since Reich in 1993. Hill has been wearing uniform number 20 for Team USA, but will switch to number 19 prior to Sunday's ceremony. In two outings with Team USA spanning six innings, the two-time All-American has allowed three hits and two unearned runs, while fanning eight and walking three. He stands at 0-0 with one save and a 0.00 earned run average.

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