Five Soldiers from the 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade at Storck Barracks, Germany were presented the Einsatzemedaille "Fluthilfe 2013" (Flood Relief 2013 Operational Medal) by U.S Army Europe Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal February 24, during a ceremony at Storck Barracks for volunteering to provide flood relief to the German communities affected by flooding in 2013.
"We're here today to witness, as volunteers who volunteered to help stem the floods in Deggendorf in 2013 are presented an award," said Lt. Col. Kelsey Smith, the battalion commander of the 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.
"I am extremely pleased and deeply honored that I as USAREUR chief of staff am presenting five soldiers of this strong and high performing unit with the German flood service medal, 2013," said Laubenthal.
Laubenthal, who at the time of the floods was the brigade commander of the Deggendorf brigade, worked with the volunteers at the time of the crisis.
"Presenting the award as a German citizen and member of the USAREUR staff and former brigade commander responsible for the Bavarian flood relief operation allows me to thank my American comrades for their help during one of the most severe natural disasters in my home country," said Laubenthal.
The flood disaster in 2013 affected seven countries in Europe. In Germany the floods caused € 6.7 billion in many regions, according to Laubenthal.
"For you five and me, it is today a kind of reunification because to me [as] commanding general, you worked basically for me without me knowing it, but I appreciate it very much," said Laubenthal. "The Federal Republic of Germany expresses its gratitude to you and recognizes your extraordinary engagement while working to mitigate the flood damage in 2013."
Laubenthal then read the citation in German first, then in English. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, Laubenthal awarded the Flood Service Medal 2013 for especially selfless support while averting danger and stemming damages during the flood catastrophe in May and June, 2013, to the five soldiers. The award is dated July 14, 2014, and signed by Ursula von der Leyen, the minister of defense for the Federal Republic of Germany.
"It's a huge honor to receive this from the Germans," said 1st Lt. Edward J. Leo, the executive officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company. "I wasn't expecting this at all."
1st Lt. Joshua W. Ahrens, the officer in charge of the battalion logistics section, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joell L. Davidson, a tactical operations officer for Bravo Company, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael W. James, an AH-64D (Apache Longbow) helicopter pilot with Charlie Company, 1st Lt. Edward J. Leo, the executive officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason M. Plonka, an instructor pilot with Alpha Company, all from the battalion were presented the award by Laubenthal.
It's not too often that Soldier get to make such a strong impact in the communities that don't typically get to interact with the U.S. Army.
"The area we were in, there aren't any American bases," said Ahrens. "We were walking around asking if people needed help, they were like, 'Oh! You speak German funny,' or 'Where are you from?' and we're like, 'We're soldiers and we're stationed here [USAG Ansbach].' They're like 'Oh! I can't believe you drove almost three hours to help us.'"
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