Local soldier overcomes ambush, receives award

KABUL, Afghanistan – Palmdale native Army Pfc. Isiah Stewart was among 12 service members assigned to NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan who received awards Sunday for actions taken October 26^th when their convoy was ambushed twice while traveling through Afghanistan’s Tangi Valley during a routine mission.

Stewart and his team successfully overcame a 45-minute complex attack in which insurgents used rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire, and improvised explosive devices.

For his part in overcoming the ambush, Stewart was presented with the combat medical badge Sunday from Commander, NATO Training Mission Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell.

“These men and women were put in a tight situation, reacted very well, did what they were supposed to do and are all here today,” said Caldwell. “It’s an honor for me to be a part of this ceremony and thanks for doing what you were supposed to do as a service member in the United States military.”

Caldwell also presented six service members with Purple Heart medals and combat action badges, two service members with Purple Heart medals and combat medical badges, and three service members with combat action badges. The following is a list of the awards presented:

Combat medical badge awardee:

• Army Pfc. Isiah Stewart, Bravo Company, 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Purple Heart and combat action badge awardees:

• Army Pfc. Edward Barut, 1-21 Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Air Force Maj. Michael Epper, 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron.
• Army Pfc. Marlon Gabriel, 1-21 Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Army Pfc. Jeremy Jenkins, 1-21 Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Army Spc. Roland Mosley, 1-21 Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Thiers, 1-21 Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Purple Heart and combat medical badge awardees:

• Army Spc. Tamara Becker, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Army Pfc. Laura Lefler, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-21 Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Combat action badge awardees:

• Army Spc. Samuel Applegate, 575th Forward Support Company, 1-21 Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Minarik, Alpha Battery, 1-21 Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
• Navy Lt. Cmdr. Robert Moran, Navy Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, San Diego.

(Information provided via DVIDS)