24 service members awarded Hawaii Medal of Honor

By Sgt. Galen Lowers, 8th TSCApril 3, 2012

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 120328-A-KH515-009: Service members with the 552nd Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, pose with the Hawaii Medal of Honor that was awarded posthumously to Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 552nd MP Bn., 8th ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two members of the 552nd Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command shake hands with state officials after accepting the Hawaii Medal of Honor for their friend and fellow service member, Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Hundreds of service members and civilians filled the Hawaii state capital Wednesday, March 28, to remember 24 fallen heroes from the United States Army, Navy and Marines, and honor them with the state's highest accolade: the Hawaii Medal of Honor.

In 2005, the state legislature passed House Bill 8, designated as Act 21, which provided for a "Hawaii Medal of Honor that would help express the deep appreciation and gratitude of the people of Hawaii to the loved ones of members of the military who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation and its freedom."

The medal is believed to be the first in the country by a state to honor service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recipients of the medal include members of the United Armed Forces, the United States Military Reserves, and the Hawaii National Guard who were either residents of the state of Hawaii, attended an educational institution in Hawaii, or were stationed in Hawaii by order of the United States Department of Defense.

The first Hawaii Medal of Honor presentation was held in 2006. Since that time, 308 service members with Hawaii ties have been awarded this prestigious honor.

The recipients of this year's Hawaii Medal of Honor are as follows:

• United States Army Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 552nd MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., 8th TSC

• United States Army Staff Sgt. Mark C. Wells, 706rd Ord. Co., 8th MP Bde., 8th TSC

• United States Army Sgt. Kevin W. White

• United States Army Pfc. Thomas C. Allers, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Spc. William S. Blevins, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Pfc. Andrew M. Krippner, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Staff Sgt. Kristofferson B. Lorenzo

•United States Marine Corps Pfc. Josue Ibarra, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Reg., 3rd Marine Div., 3rd Marine Exp. Force

• United States Army Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Spc. Levi E. Nuncio, 2nd Bn., 3rd Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army 1st Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 2nd Bn., 35th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 3rd STB, 3rd HBCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 2nd Bn., 35th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Camero, 3rd Bn., 4th Marines, 1st Marine Div., 1st Marine Exp. Force

• United States Army Staff Sgt. James M. Christen, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Sgt. Jacob Molina

• United States Army Sgt. William B. Gross Paniagua, 3rd STB, 3rd HBCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Kraig M. Vickers, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist, Navy Seal Team

• United States Marine Corps Cpl. Nicholas S. Ott

• United States Army Sgt. 1st Class Houston M. Taylor, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Newman

• United States Army Sgt. Christopher L. Muniz

• United States Army Spc. Ronald Wildrick, 2nd Bn., 35th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

• United States Army Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Altmann, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 25th Inf. Div.

The service members without units are those whose families were unable to attend the ceremony.

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