Some of the country’s bravest heroes received awards for their valor this past week. Green Berets, members of A Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, were honored for their valiant actions during a deployment to Afghanistan.
With a total of 10 awards, several soldiers received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V device, six Army Commendation Medals with V device, and one Purple Heart.
The awards were not earned easily.
Staff Sgt. Michael Sargent received the nation’s third highest award, the Silver Star, for throwing himself in the line of fire and dragging a fallen Afghan soldier to safety.
Once he risked his life for that man, he did it again for a second fallen Afghan soldier.
Other soldiers also put themselves in the line of fire for their fellow comrades, and one even died protecting his brethren.
That fallen soldier was Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock, who died Jan. 5 while fighting in Afghanistan. As a tribute to his life and service, the nation rewarded McClintock with the Silver Star for his valiant actions.
And, according to Army Times, McClintock’s wife, Alexandra, said her husband’s teammates told her how McClintock gave his own life to help his comrade.