7th Engineer Battalion Soldiers receive Combat Action Badge

By Sgt. Jennifer YoungJanuary 21, 2010

7th Engineer Battalion Soldiers receive Combat Action Badge
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - On top of a vehicle fighting position overlooking the 4,000-year-old Ziggurat at Ur, Brig. Gen. Robert Harris, commander of 194th Engineer Brigade, awarded the Combat Action Badge to 22 Soldiers of 7th Engineer Battalion.

Soldiers from the battalion's Forward Support Company and 642nd Engineer Support Company were attacked Oct. 13 with multiple improvised explosive devices while on patrol in Dhi Qar Province. Thanks to their outstanding equipment and high level of training, none of the Soldiers was hurt during the attack.

During the subsequent sweep of the area by coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, a third IED was found and neutralized.

This was the first IED incident 7th Engineers had experienced since arriving in Iraq in late June. The attack served to remind all involved that although security has greatly improved across the country, Iraq can still be a dangerous place.

The Combat Action Badge was approved May 2, 2005, by the Army chief of staff to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy.

"This is my first time awarding the CAB to Soldiers, without awarding Purple Hearts, and I think that is a grand thing," Harris said.

The 22 recipients stood tall and proud in front of their fellow Soldiers as Harris pinned on their CABs.

The timing of the ceremony was symbolic to Harris, as it marked the fifth anniversary of his first arrival to COB Adder, during OIF III in 2005.

"These are some of America's finest Sappers and Soldiers, who continue to put themselves in harm's way, to make sure that America wins the war on terrorism, and that the Iraqi people have a safe and secure nation to call their own," said Command Sgt. Maj. Federico Boyce, 7th Engineer Battalion command sergeant major.

Lt. Col. Christopher Barron, 7th Engineer Battalion commander, commended Soldiers on receiving the Combat Action Badge.

"Wear it with pride and honor, because you earned it," he said.