FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Staff Sgt. Kristopher J. Forchione, Sgt. Ramon A. Fernandez and Sgt. Justin M. Watson, all cannon crew members with 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), received Army Commendation Medals with Valor device during an award ceremony Feb. 13, 2014.
Ramon and Watson were conducting maintenance on an M119 105mm howitzer when the combat outpost they were on came under indirect fire. Instead of running to cover, which is general protocol, the soldiers reassembled the howitzer in a matter of minutes to conduct a counter-fire mission.
Forchione received his ARCOM with Valor for running from cover to provide aid to potential casualties during a different attack. With the assistance of fellow soldiers, he then transported the injured, while still under fire, to the combat outpost’s aid station for treatment.