Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Brigade, North Carolina National Guard
On June 24, 2004, in Baqubah, Iraq, Stephens led his platoon in heavy contact with enemy attempting to control the city. After fighting through two ambushes, he led his platoon to a casualty collection point to treat the wounded. To evacuate the gunner of his wingman, he crossed 50 meters in open terrain while small arms impacted all around him as he ran. He mounted the turret and pulled his Soldier out of the hatch, then lowered him to the waiting medic as rounds impacted the vehicle and other Soldiers drove to safety. He returned to his vehicle under continuing fire, reorganized the platoon, and led the move to a base, fighting on as his Bradley was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and his gunner was severely wounded.
Staff Sgt. Timothy F. Nein
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
(DSC)
Sgt. 1st Class Joshua D. Betten
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Sgt. Russell L. Collier
Battery A, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, Arkansas National Guard
Spc. Richard A. Ghent
1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, New Hampshire National Guard
Spc. Jason Harrington
Company A, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
1st Lt. Tyler J. Jensen
19th Special Forces Group, Utah National Guard
Spc. Gerrit Kobes
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Washington National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Lewis
Company A, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Florida National Guard
Spc. Jose Maldonado
130th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
Puerto Rico National Guard
Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard
1st Lt. Michael J. McCarty
Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas National Guard
Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin
Brigade Effects Coordinator, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Michael J. McMullen
243rd Engineer Company, Maryland National Guard
Spc. Jason L. Mike
617th Military Police Company, Kentucky National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Keary J. Miller
123rd Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky National Guard
Sgt. Robert S. Pugh
Company A, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Mississippi National Guard
Staff Sgt. Joseph Proctor
638th Support Battalion (Aviation) Indiana National Guard
1st Sgt. Kevin K. Remington
957th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 142nd Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, North Dakota National Guard
Spc. Brian M. Sheetz
Company C, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard
Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes
Company C, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion,California National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Chad M. Stephens
Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Brigade, North Carolina National Guard
Capt. John Vanlandingham
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery, 39th Infantry Brigade, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas National Guard
Sgt. 1st Class Mark A. Wanner
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, Ohio National Guard
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Whalen
Tactical Air Control Party, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Washington National Guard
Sgt. Matthew Zedwick
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, 41st Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard