Airborne Soldier Awarded Bronze Star for Valor

By Pfc. Christina SindersApril 28, 2008

Airborne Soldier Awarded Bronze Star for Valor
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, is awarded a Bronze Star for Valor by Army Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, Combined Joint Task Force-101 deputy commanding general of operations, April 24, at Fire Base Nar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airborne Soldier Awarded Bronze Star for Valor
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, CJTF-101 deputy commanding general of operations, presented a coin for excellence to Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, after awarding him the Bronze Star for valor, April 24,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Airborne Soldier Awarded Bronze Star for Valor
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, CJTF-101 deputy commanding general of operations, awards and pins a Bronze Star for Valor on Army Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, April 24, at Fire Base Naray, Kunar provin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Army News Service, April 28, 2008) - A Bronze Star for Valor was awarded to Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron at Fire Base Naray, in Afghanistan's Kunar province, April 24.

Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, Combined Joint Task Force-101 deputy commanding general of operations, awarded the medal to Inabnet and presented him with a coin for excellence.

Inabnet was recognized for his actions in combat July 27, 2007, when he saved more than a dozen Soldier's lives during a combat operation in Kunar province. The Quick Reaction Team he was on re-enforced International Security Assistance Forces engaged in combat with insurgents.

"We first set out after receiving word that four casualties on the ground were injured and two of them were serious," said Inabnet, a wheeled vehicle mechanic. "Once we arrived we got the four injured in the vehicles and dropped them off at the medevac site."

Shortly afterward, Inabnet provided first aid to a wounded Soldier from his QRT.

"Once we had all the equipment and personnel, we started to head back," said Inabnet. "That's when we started taking [rocket propelled grenades] and small-arms fire."

As the group tried to break contact, several Soldiers were wounded and put into Inabnet's vehicle.

"My main goal was to get these guys back to the helicopter landing zone so they could survive," said Inabnet. "I ended up staying up for hours until we got all our guys back inside the [forward operating base]."

"That day will be with me for a long time," he said. "I would like to thank the Lord above and all my brothers who were in that fight with me."

A Bronze Star for Valor is only granted for heroic and brave actions in combat, making it the fourth highest medal that can be awarded.

(Pfc. Christina Sinders serves with Regional Command-East Public Affairs Office)