Task Force Pacesetter Soldier awarded Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Christopher Sweder, a vehicle driver with the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armored Regiment (Task Force Pacesetter), salutes Lt. Col. Stephen Radulski, TF Pacesetter commander, after being awarded a Purple Heart in an Aug. 23, 2008 ceremony at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan. Sweder was awarded a Purple Heart for combat wounds suffered July 21, 2008. In a separate ceremony, Sweder was awarded a Combat Action Badge, Aug. 9, 2008, for actions during a May 7, 2008 enemy attack at Combat Outpost Najil.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

08.30.2008

Story by Thomas McQue 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By Capt. Thomas McQue
Task Force Pacesetter

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — A Scout Platoon, Task Force Pacesetter Soldier was awarded a Purple Heart in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, Aug. 23, 2008.

Spc. Christopher Sweder, a vehicle driver with the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armored Regiment was also awarded a Combat Action Badge, Aug. 9, 2008, for a separate combat engagement, making his Purple Heart the second time the Soldier was honored for his role in combat operations here.

On July 21, 2008, Sweder was wounded by mortar fire while manning an entry control point at Combat Outpost Najil. During the attack, Sweder suffered shrapnel wounds to his left leg and left shoulder.

On May 7, 2008, Sweder engaged anti-Afghan forces near COP Najil, which resulted in him being awarded a Combat Action Badge.

Sweder is a Pennsylvania National Guardsman deployed from Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, in Carbondale, Pa.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States.

The Combat Action Badge was created May 2, 2005, by the Army chief of staff to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engaged, or who are engaged by the enemy.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2008
• Date Posted: 08.31.2008 01:09
• Story ID: 23056
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF