Soldiers of the Special Operations Command Europe pride themselves as quiet professionals, but sometimes certain actions deserve special recognition. SSG Joe Labutka has more on a valor ceremony for several heroic men and their amazing deeds.
One Soldier was rendered unconscious by a bomb blast, but recovered and repelled an enemy attack. One Soldier strained both his hamstrings carrying slain French officer down a mountain. One Soldier scaled up and down a mountain three times to save his fellow comrade. One Soldier was shot by enemy fire in the arm three times, yet continued to aggressively engage the enemy. And one Soldier ran through a burning building to evacuate its residents.
U.S. European Command Commander Admiral James G. Stavridis pins the Bronze Star with Valor device on Staff Sgt. Jeffery Musgrave during a Valor Ceremony hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command Europe on Dec. 6, 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany. Musgrave, a U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), received the fourth-highest award for gallantry in combat for his heroic actions on May 17, 2010 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also received the Purple Heart for his actions and wounds received by the enemy.
From left to right, Silver Star recipients Capt. David Fox, Sgt. McKenna 'Frank' Miller and Staff Sgt. Matthew Gassman stand during a Valor Ceremony hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command Europe on Dec. 6, 2011 in Stuttgart, Germany. The U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) received the third-highest award for gallantry in combat for their heroic actions on Dec. 17, 2010 in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Joseph Brennan enlisted in the Army after his cousin, Sgt. Joshua Brennan was killed in action when his squad was ambushed on Oct. 25th, 2007 in the Korengal Valley of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. For his actions that day, fighting off the ambush and recovering the wounded Brennan from the clutches of Taliban fighters, then Spc. Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor. Ever since that tragic date, Joseph has followed in the footsteps of his cousin Joshua.
Four members of the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), received awards during a ceremony held at the Panzer Community Club Jan. 19, for their valorous actions over the course of their last deployment to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Forces Special Operations Forces (ISAF-SOF) and Task Force -10.
Maj. Gen. Michael Repass pins the Army Commendation Medal for valor on the chest of Staff Sgt. Robert Murray during a valor ceremony Jan. 19 at the Panzer Community Center. Murray earned the award while deployed to Afghanistan as a member of International Security Assistance Forces Special Operations Forces (ISAF-SOF) Task Force -10. Photo by Angeline Hoffmann, USAG-Stuttgart Training and Support Center.
Master Sgt. Joe Dickinson received the Bronze Star Medal for valor during a ceremony Jan. 19 at the Panzer Community Center. Dickinson will also receive the Silver Star for separate acts of heroism in Afghanistan at a ceremony yet to be scheduled. Photo by Angeline Hoffmann, USAG-Stuttgart Training and Support Center.
Maj. Gen. Michael Repass pins the Bronze Star Medal for valor on the chest of Master Sgt. Joe Dickinson during a valor ceremony Jan. 19 at the Panzer Community Center. The Bronze Star Medal for valor is the fourth-highest combat award within the U.S. Armed Forces. Photo by Angeline Hoffmann, USAG-Stuttgart Training and Support Center.
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan — 14 American soldiers made history May 12, becoming the first foreigners to ever receive Germany’s Gold Cross medal, one of the nation’s highest awards for valor.
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan -- 14 U.S. Medical Evacuation crewmen are awarded the German Gold Cross May 12 for risking their lives to come to the rescue of German soldiers during a firefight in Kunduz, Afghanistan April 2. Germany's Gold Cross medal is one of the nation's highest awards for valor and this is the first time in history foreigners have ever received the award.
BOBLINGEN, Gemany -- Within the fraternity of Army Special Forces, the brotherhood formed during the Qualification Course in the woods of Camp Mackall, North Carolina can only be sealed in one way – through combat.
