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Combat Awards Ceremony for JBLM Rangers Set for Thursday

The Rangers returned earlier this year from Afghanistan, marking its 14th combat deployment since the War on Terror started in 2011. Its members performed many acts of bravery.

 

The Army will recognize Rangers from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for their combat actions during an awards ceremony at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall on Thursday.

The event - which starts at 6 p.m. - is open to the public.

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Among the awards scheduled to be presented are Bronze Star Medals for valor, Joint Service Commendation Medals for valor, Army Commendation Medals for valor, and Purple Heart Medals.

The Rangers returned earlier this year from Afghanistan, marking the 14th combat deployment of the battalion in support of the War on Terror since October 2001. During this deployment, four Rangers were killed in combat and several more were wounded.

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Also being presented, are five Soldier’s Medals to Rangers who rescued two trapped mountain climbers on Mount McKinley at Denali National Park, Alaska May 26, 2011.

In addition to the valorous awards, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment will also be awarded two Valorous Unit Awards for combat actions conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan during the summer months of 2005.

During combat operations, June 14, 2005, in Iraq, elements of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Alpha Company and Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and its subordinate units displayed extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy in Iraq resulting in the capture of a top Abu Musab Zarquwi network officer.

From June 28 to July 12, 2005, elements of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Bravo Company and Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, conducted a rescue of a U.S. service member and repatriation of remains of several fallen U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan in an enemy controlled territory.  The Rangers of 2nd Battalion displayed remarkable dedication to duty, discipline courage and commitment to completing the mission.

In more than ten years of combat, Rangers have established themselves as the nation’s elite Special Operations offensive infantry force capable of planning and executing complex worldwide operations in high-risk, uncertain, and politically sensitive areas. Targeting high value targets across Iraq and Afghanistan, 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment has conducted more than 2500 raids during its 14 combat deployments resulting in the killing or capturing of thousands of key al-Qaeda Taliban, and other insurgent leaders.

 

Description of Awards

  • PURPLE HEART MEDAL is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been wounded or killed.
  • BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR VALOR is awarded to any person who distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
  • JOINT SERVICE COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR VALOR is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service
  • ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR VALOR is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.
  • SOLDIER’S MEDAL is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.


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