KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Aaron Ardon, a Department of the Army civilian from Red River Army Depot, was awarded the Defense of Freedom Medal, here, Dec. 17.
Ardon was presented the award by Brig. Gen. Les J. Carroll, commanding general of Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan, for wounds received in a rocket attack on his compound at Kandahar Airfield.
The medal is the civilian equivalent to a Purple Heart and is awarded to honor civilian employees of the Department of Defense injured or killed in the line of duty. The award was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In a short ceremony held in the very building stuck by the insurgent’s rocket, Carroll thanked Ardon and all of his colleagues for their sacrifice, reminding them that civilians are an important part of the Army team.
Ardon said, “You never know what you will do when the situation comes.”
Ardon works repairing tactical vehicles and is attached to the Army Field Support Battalion- Kandahar, 401st Army Field Support Brigade.
