CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with First Army's 2nd Battalion, 348th Regiment, received recognition from the 1st Mission Support Command for their impact in support of the Hurricane Maria relief efforts during a ceremony at Fort Buchannan, Puerto Rico, yesterday.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dustin A. Shultz, commanding general, 1MSC, awarded 34 medals to members of the "Cobra" Bn. for their selfless service, tireless efforts and commitment to response efforts while supporting the 1st MSC from October to December.

"Their homes were damaged, and they still reported for duty the day after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico," said Lt. Col. Walter Watts, 2-348. "They showed incredible resiliency balancing the needs associated with our mission and taking care of their families. I'm very proud of them."

The reserve Soldiers worked 16-hour days and were integral in many coordinated efforts to help restore central services. According to Watts, his team went to 63 hospitals, assessed for damage and needed supplies which enabled providers with the tools needed to get the hospitals up and running quickly.

"The impact these men and women made during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria speaks volumes about their character and leadership," said Col. Jack Vantress, commander, 177th Armored Brigade. "We are proud to have these citizen Soldiers as members of the Spearhead family and representatives of what the Reserve component brings to our military and our local communities."

In addition to the impact awards presented by 1MSC, Soldiers were also awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal, which was authorized by the Department of Defense in an official release March 5.

Soldiers who received the Military Service Medal were:

Lt. Col. Walter Watts

Cpt. Edgardo Perez

Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Martinez

Master Sgt. Vicente Colon

Master Sgt. Cesar Pillot

Sgt. 1st Class Andres Decamino

Sgt. 1st Class Rene Lujan

Soldiers who received the Army Commendation Medal were:

Sgt. 1st Class Luis Calvo

Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Faberlle

Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Galindo

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Herman

Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Joubert

Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Otero

Staff Sgt. Yomar Montes

Staff Sgt. Noemi Rivera

Sgt. Maria De Luz Garcia

Sgt. Christopher Miranda

Sgt. Roberto Montalvo

Sgt. Joven Osorio

Sgt. Bradley Pacheco

Spc. Ramon Rivera

Soldiers who received the Army Achievement Medal were:

Sgt. 1st Class Luis Butter

Sgt. 1st Class Orlando Rodriguez

Staff Sgt. Carlos Laureano

Staff Sgt. Randy Quintana

Staff Sgt. Francisco Rodriguez

Sgt. Giovanny Calerin