Congressman Steve Buyer - Military Biography

Congressman Steve Buyer (pronounced Boo-yer) is in his eighth term in the U.S House of Representatives. He represents the Fourth District of Indiana that includes all or part of 12 counties in West Central Indiana.

Congressman Buyer is a 1980 distinguished military graduate (DMG) of The Citadel. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve as a Medical Service Corps Officer. After graduation from Valparaiso Law School, Congressman Buyer branch transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps and was called to active duty for a period of three years.

As a Staff Judge Advocate officer at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, he served as the Special Assistant, United States Attorney in Virginia. Upon his release from active duty, Congressman Buyer served with the 310th TAACOM during EXERCISE REFORGER in the Netherlands and Belgium. Congressman Buyer returned to Indiana to practice law in his hometown of Monticello. While continuing his duties as a citizen-soldier, he participated in three REFORGER exercises in Germany with the 21st TAACOM.

In the fall of 1990, Congressman Buyer was called to active duty on three days notice to participate in OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. As an Operational Law Judge Advocate, Buyer provided legal advice to forward-deployed combat service support units within the combat zone of operations. He also provided legal advice to the Commander, 22nd Support Command. In addition, he was assigned to the Western Enemy Prisoner of War Camp, providing legal advice on international law and the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of prisoners of war, detained civilians, and refugees. He also served as an Armed Forces liaison with delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Congressman Buyer continues to serve as a Colonel in the Army Reserve. In the 110th Congress, Congressman Buyer serves as the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Congressman Buyer's military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, South-West Asia Service Medal (3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kuwait, Army Service Ribbon (2), and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2).

For service to his country as both a citizen and a soldier, Congressman Buyer has been awarded:

• 2001 Reserve Officers Association Arthur T. Marix Award
• 2001 Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Eagle Award
• 2000 Retired Officers Association Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award
• 2000 Dept. of Europe of the Reserve Officers Association Nathan Hale Award
• 1999 Military Coalition’s Award of Merit
• 1999 Judge Advocate General’s Distinguished Member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps Regiment
• 1998 Reserve Officers Association Minuteman of the Year
• 1998 Vietnam Veterans of America Legislator of the Year
• 1998 Air Force Sergeants Association L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence
• 1997 Enlisted Guard Association of the United States Concord Minuteman Award
• 1997 Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award
• 1995 The Citadel’s Man of the Year

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