valor awards Archives - Task & Purpose

By Haley Britzky Nov 3, 2020

News

Air Force pararescueman awarded Silver Star for risking his life to save his teammates during Afghanistan firefight

"That is heroism. That is what today is about.”

By Jared Keller Aug 28, 2020

News

Green Berets receive valor awards for grueling eight-hour firefight against elite Taliban force in Afghanistan

A group of Green Berets have received valor awards for their heroic actions during a grueling eight-hour firefighter against Taliban...

By Nancy McCleary, The Sanford Herald, N.C. Aug 13, 2020

News

Air Force combat controller to receive Silver Star for heroism during intense Afghanistan firefight

Air Force Master Sgt. John E. Grimesey of Carthage will receive the Silver Star, the third highest medal presented by...

By James Clark Jul 15, 2020

News

Read the stories of the Marine Raiders awarded Silver and Bronze Stars for a hellish four-hour battle in Afghanistan

A Marine Raider who assaulted a bunker and recovered a wounded Afghan soldier during a four-hour firefight in Afghanistan last...

By Jared Keller Apr 11, 2020

News

Special tactics airmen receive valor awards for daring Middle East raids, one of which took out top Al Qaeda leader

A group of special tactics airmen were honored with valor awards for their "selfless actions" during a series of raids...

By Andrew Dyer, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 14, 2020

News

Navy EOD chief awarded Silver Star for saving teammates during intense firefight in Iraq

An Imperial Beach-based chief explosive ordinance disposal technician was awarded the Silver Star Medal during a ceremony at Naval Base...

By Jared Keller Jan 26, 2020

News

Florida senators are pushing for Purple Hearts for service members wounded in the NAS Pensacola shooting

Florida's two senators are pushing the Defense Department to award Purple Hearts to the U.S. service members wounded in the...

By David Roza Jan 10, 2020

News

Green Berets receive dozens of combat awards for ‘valorous actions’ during Afghanistan deployment

"The valor we are recognizing today happened at the most tactical level – face to face fighting, close quarters combat,...

By Gina Harkins, Military.com Dec 27, 2019

News

Heroic Coasties receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for rescuing hundreds from Hurricane Harvey

Four Coast Guard members who faced extraordinary conditions while saving an infant, a pregnant woman and dozens more during a...

By Christopher Harress, Alabama Media Group Dec 22, 2019

News

Coast Guard pilot awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for saving lives during Hurricane Harvey

Lieutenant John Briggs, known as JJ to his friends and family, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for acts of heroism...

By Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Dec 7, 2019

News

Georgia Army vet admits to lying about receiving Purple Heart and Silver Star

Gregg Ramsdell, 61, faces up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine for stolen valor and making false...

By David Roza Nov 27, 2019

News

Two A-10 pilots receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing troops under heavy fire in Afghanistan

The Distinguished Flying Cross is rarely awarded, let alone awarded twice on the same day to two members of the...

By Oriana Pawlyk, Military.com Nov 5, 2019

News

A lawmaker wants to expedite valor awards for the K9 team that took down al-Baghdadi

A New Jersey Democrat is urging the Pentagon to expedite service medals for the military K9 unit responsible for taking...

By Jeff Schogol Oct 30, 2019

News

Exclusive: These valor award citations show the remarkable heroism on display during the 2017 Niger ambush

In addition to showing how the four fallen soldiers fought to the end, the award citations also describe other service...

By Haley Britzky Sep 19, 2019

News

WWII ‘Hero of Cologne’ finally receives Bronze Star nearly 75 years after legendary showdown with Nazi tank

It's about damn time

By Richard Sisk, Military.com Sep 13, 2019

News

JTAC to receive Air Force Cross for valor in deadly firefight against ISIS in Afghanistan

Kentucky Air National Guard Special Ops Tech. Sgt. Daniel Keller is set to receive the nation's second-highest award for valor,...

By Jared Keller Aug 30, 2019

News

Air Force PJ receives Bronze Star for fighting off Taliban for hours while twice wounded

Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Metzger was awarded the Bronze Star with a "V" device for his heroism during an...

By Jared Keller Jul 13, 2019

News

Artillery soldier awarded Bronze Star for raining mortars on ISIS fighters during a harrowing firefight

The Army awarded a Bronze Star with a valor device to a fire support specialist for risking his own life...

By Steve Devane, The Fayetteville Observer Jun 28, 2019

News

Black Hawk pilot receives Distinguished Service Cross for heroically shielding Green Berets from enemy fire

Then-Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher C. Palumbo received the Distinguished Service Cross Award on Thursday for his actions during a...

By Haley Britzky Jun 11, 2019

News

Army recruiter awarded Distinguished Service Cross for dragging fellow soldiers to safety under enemy fire in Afghanistan

"My dad always told me that if you're going to do something, do it right"

By Maura Grunlund, Staten Island Advance Jun 10, 2019

News

Soldier posthumously receives Distinguished Service Cross for sacrificing himself to save a Polish soldier in Afghanistan

The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded posthumously to Army Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis in a ceremony marked by pomp...

By Jeff Schogol Jun 6, 2019

News

Each of the 4 heroes killed in a deadly 2017 ambush in Niger has received a valor award

Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright and Sgt. La David T. Johnson have both been awarded the Silver Star, a defense...

By Haley Britzky Jun 3, 2019

History

Lawmakers push for a WWI medal review to ensure minorities get the recognition they deserve

House lawmakers are pushing for a Pentagon review of valor awards given out for service in World War I to...

By Joe Marusak, The Charlotte Observer May 24, 2019

News

Decorated Vietnam vet presents Purple Heart and Bronze Star to family of slain UNC Charlotte shooting hero

Hailed as a hero for knocking a shooter off his feet in a UNC Charlotte classroom, Riley Howell was posthumously...

By Joe Sova, Lake County Leader Apr 12, 2019

News

Injured in an ambush, this Vietnam vet saved a fellow Marine from torture with nothing but his knife

Retired Marine Lance Corp James H. Stogner received the prestigious Navy Cross Medal during a special ceremony on April 5...

valor awards

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Featured in valor awards

Air Force pararescueman awarded Silver Star for risking his life to save his teammates during Afghanistan firefight

Green Berets receive valor awards for grueling eight-hour firefight against elite Taliban force in Afghanistan

Air Force combat controller to receive Silver Star for heroism during intense Afghanistan firefight

Read the stories of the Marine Raiders awarded Silver and Bronze Stars for a hellish four-hour battle in Afghanistan

Special tactics airmen receive valor awards for daring Middle East raids, one of which took out top Al Qaeda leader

Navy EOD chief awarded Silver Star for saving teammates during intense firefight in Iraq

Florida senators are pushing for Purple Hearts for service members wounded in the NAS Pensacola shooting

Green Berets receive dozens of combat awards for ‘valorous actions’ during Afghanistan deployment

Heroic Coasties receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for rescuing hundreds from Hurricane Harvey

Coast Guard pilot awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for saving lives during Hurricane Harvey

Georgia Army vet admits to lying about receiving Purple Heart and Silver Star

Two A-10 pilots receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing troops under heavy fire in Afghanistan

A lawmaker wants to expedite valor awards for the K9 team that took down al-Baghdadi

Exclusive: These valor award citations show the remarkable heroism on display during the 2017 Niger ambush

WWII ‘Hero of Cologne’ finally receives Bronze Star nearly 75 years after legendary showdown with Nazi tank

JTAC to receive Air Force Cross for valor in deadly firefight against ISIS in Afghanistan

Air Force PJ receives Bronze Star for fighting off Taliban for hours while twice wounded

Artillery soldier awarded Bronze Star for raining mortars on ISIS fighters during a harrowing firefight

Black Hawk pilot receives Distinguished Service Cross for heroically shielding Green Berets from enemy fire

Army recruiter awarded Distinguished Service Cross for dragging fellow soldiers to safety under enemy fire in Afghanistan

Soldier posthumously receives Distinguished Service Cross for sacrificing himself to save a Polish soldier in Afghanistan

Each of the 4 heroes killed in a deadly 2017 ambush in Niger has received a valor award

Lawmakers push for a WWI medal review to ensure minorities get the recognition they deserve

Decorated Vietnam vet presents Purple Heart and Bronze Star to family of slain UNC Charlotte shooting hero

Injured in an ambush, this Vietnam vet saved a fellow Marine from torture with nothing but his knife