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Staff Sgt. Jordan Avery, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with the Bronze Star Medal with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Staff Sgt. Avery distinguished himself by compl...
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Staff Sgt. Matthew Carey, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with the Army Commendation Medal with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Staff Sgt. Carey distinguished himself h...
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Master Sgt. Daniel Gholston, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with the Bronze Star Medal with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Master Sgt. Gholston distinguished himself ...
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Capt. Andrew MacNeil , Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with the Army Commendation Medal with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Capt. MacNeil distinguished himself heroica...
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Sgt. 1st Class Tu Nguyen, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with two Army Commendation Medals with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Sgt. 1st Class Nguyen distinguished him...
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Sgt. 1st Class Tu Nguyen, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with two Army Commendation Medals with V device during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Sgt. 1st Class Nguyen distinguished him...
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Staff Sgt. Michael Sargent, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, is recognized with the Silver Star Medal during an award ceremony on April 29, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Staff Sgt. Sargent distinguished himself by completely exp...
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Sarah Vargo, J9 contractor and Gold Star widow, receives a special plaque for her services in assisting Alpha Company, 1-19th Special Forces Group in coordinating support and providing benefits to the family of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock, who ...
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Tacoma, Wash. -- Special forces soldiers don't go looking for honors. They're humble. They're professional and, as Major General Bret Daugherty puts it, they "overcome great hardship on a routine basis."
Soldiers, friends and family members joined Daugherty, the commander of the Washington National Guard, at the Landmark Convention Center in Tacoma on Friday, April 29, 2016 to recognize the heroism and bravery of members of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group during their recent deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operations Freedom's Sentinel and Resolute Support.
During the ceremony, General Daugherty sang the praises not only of the individuals receiving decoration, but the strength of character and competence of the Special Forces unit as a whole.
"While we're going to pin medals on nine very deserving individuals," Daugherty said. "This ceremony is really a reflection on the entire unit. These men are heroes, plain and simple. …
"They don't boast," Daugherty added. "They don't draw undue attention to themselves. They just get the job done."
The members of Alpha Company had the critical mission of developing and formally partnering with components of the Afghan National Army including the Afghan Local Police and parts of the Police Special Tactics units.
Nine members of Alpha Company were awarded medals for exceptionally brave deeds during periods of fierce fighting in and around Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
All of the men distinguished themselves uniquely by exposing themselves to enemy fire to come to the aid of fellow teammates as well as that of their Afghani counterparts.
Six Army Commendation Medals with valor were awarded along with two Bronze Star Medals with valor and one Silver Star Medal. Many of the valor awards that were presented came from actions during the same battle that claimed the life of their teammate Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock, who was killed in action on Jan. 5, 2016.
"The men we honored today, including those who were unable to be with us, represent the best of what is inside all of those who serve this great nation," said Maj. Aron Horiel, commander of Alpha Company. "It is truly an honor and a privilege to be their commander."
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