Hoosier Guardsmen receive Purple Hearts, Combat Action Badges

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Members of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team personnel security detail are congratulated for receiving the Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge during a ceremony at the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) headquarters at Joint Base Balad. The Soldiers received the awards as a result of their actions during an improvised explosive device attack on their convoy logistics patrol from Camp Speicher to JBB in June.  

BALAD, IRAQ

10.11.2008

Story by Spc. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Michael Behlin
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Members of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team personnel security detail received the Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge during a ceremony at the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) headquarters at Joint Base Balad, Oct. 1, 2008.

The Soldiers received the awards as a result of their actions during an improvised explosive device attack on their convoy logistics patrol from Camp Speicher to JBB in June

Receiving the Purple Heart and CAB during the ceremony were Staff Sgt. Stephen Vance, an operations non-commissioned officer and La Porte, Ind., native and Spc. Brent Crouch, a St. Paul, Ind., native and PSD gunner.

Both Soldiers received the award commonly referred to as "the award no one wants, but everyone respects," as a result of injuries sustained from the blast.

"When I was pinned with the Purple Heart, it was probably the most emotional day of my life," said Vance. "I'm really fortunate that this is one of the instances where this award wasn't given out posthumously."

During the ceremony, Spc. Andrew Ault, Spc. Joshua Caston, and Spc. Timothy Nance received the CAB for their roles in the IED attack. The CAB is awarded to Soldiers actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.

"Receiving the CAB makes me feel proud," said Ault, a Medora, Ind., native and PSD team driver. "It was the proudest day of my life."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2008
• Date Posted: 10.11.2008 04:39
• Story ID: 24825
• Location: BALAD, IQ