Photo By Staff Sgt. Richard Andrade | Capt. Christian Johnson, a native of Rockford, Ill. assigned to Headquarters and...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan – Four Combined Task Force Lightning soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart Medal during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak Feb. 5.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane Misner and Staff Sgt. Christopher Milo, all assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, based in Fort Bragg, N.C., were presented the prestigious award during a Purple Heart Medal ceremony.
On Jan. 19 the soldiers were wounded during a suicide bomb attack at the Weesh border crossing point.
An intelligence officer, said their mission that day was to meet with Afghan contractors and survey the proposed site for an Afghan biometrics building. Once the soldiers arrived at the site, “Two or three minutes later, is when the explosion happened.”
A young Afghan male ran towards the group and detonated a bomb strapped to his body.
The Medford Lakes, N.J., native said after the explosion, “We picked each other up, got behind cover and made sure everyone was alright.”
Staff Sgt. Christopher Milo was also awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Commendation medal.
The native of Granite Bay, Calif., received shrapnel wounds to his legs and face following the explosion. Even though he was wounded, Milo played an instrumental role assisting with first aid and providing security to his fellow soldiers. For his actions he was awarded the ARCOM.
The infantryman said he was honored to receive the awards but added he was just doing his job.
After the ceremony, Misner said this has been a humbling experience, “We were very lucky that day, it’s not often you hear about someone surviving a suicide bomb attack.”
The Purple Heart Medal was originally called the Badge of Military Merit and is America’s oldest military decoration. It is awarded to those in uniform who have been wounded or killed in combat as a result of enemy actions.
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2011 03:12 |
| Story ID: | 64919 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, AF |
| Web Views: | 619 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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