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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2009 No. 09-073 KANSAS NATIONAL GUARDSMEN TO BE HONORED AT AWARDS CEREMONY IN NEWTONMaj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general of Kansas, will present seven Kansas National Guard Soldiers with awards during a ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Newton Armory, 400 North Grandview St., Newton, Kan. “These soldiers will carry the knowledge of their accomplishments with them for the rest of their lives,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. “The medal and awards we present are just a small testament of the profound respect and deep appreciation we have for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf.” A Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge will be awarded to Staff Sgt. Jarrod Hays, 40, Wellington, who was wounded during a complex Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush and direct fire engagement on Feb. 22, 2007, while serving as assistant platoon sergeant with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His injuries were treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. While at Walter Reed, Hays was awarded the Purple Heart Medal by President George W. Bush. A Bronze Star will be awarded to Staff Sgt. Kent Lockhart, 28, Hutchinson, for his service as a squad leader in 1st Platoon with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery during his deployment to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lockhart is now assigned to Battery E (Target Acquisition), 161st Field Artillery, Great Bend. Receiving Purple Heart Medals will be: Sgt. Donald Glover, 38, Hutchinson, who served in Iraq with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery. In December 2006, his patrol was doing route security looking for IEDs when their vehicle was struck with an explosively formed projectile (EFP). Glover is now assigned to 1161st Forward Support Company, Hutchison. Spc. William Baker, 26, Newton, served with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery in Iraq as a driver of a gun truck. On the night of Aug. 14, 2008, he was injured during the patrol when a pressure plate IED detonated. Spc. Jonathan Lee, 25, Manhattan, served with Battery A, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery in Iraq as first gun truck gunner. On the night of Aug. 14, 2008, he was injured during the patrol when a pressure plate IED detonated. Lee is now assigned to Headquarters Support Company (-) 891st Engineering Battalion, Iola. Spc. Leopoldo Villareal, 25 of Duncan, Okla., served with the 714th Maintenance Company (SECFOR) in Iraq as a driver of a gun truck. On the night of July 15, 2007, he was injured during a combat logistics patrol when an IED detonated within five meters of his vehicle. Pvt. 2 Michael McGraw, 31, Pratt, served with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery in Iraq as second gun truck gunner. On the night of Aug. 14, 2008, he was injured during the patrol when a pressure plate IED detonated. McGraw is now assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery. 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Wichita. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration currently in use anywhere in the world and the first American award made available to enlisted soldiers. It was created by Gen. George Washington as a Badge of Military Merit, but was not used after the War of Independence. It was revived in 1932 on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth. This combat decoration is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those killed in action or who die as a result of wounds received in action. In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, the Combat Action Badge provides special recognition to soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. The bayonet and grenade are associated with active combat. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and loyalty. -30- Follow the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KSAdjutantGen |
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