BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Two Soldiers from 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team were awarded the Army Commendation Medals with "V" device for valor during an award ceremony here Feb. 6.
Spc. Tyler Latham of the 40th Engineer Battalion and Spc. Darraivius Strawder, fomerly with the brigade's 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, were also awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge during the ceremony.
Two other brigade Soldiers -- Spc. Daniel Hausamann and Spc. Tanner Layton of the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry -- were awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge during the event, for their actions while deployed last year to Iraq.
"It's a huge honor to recognize these four Soldiers who are with us," said V Corps commander Lt. Gen. Kenneth Hunzeker, who pinned the awards to the Soldiers' chests.
"Clearly, these two infantrymen, sapper and scout, represent the mix of Soldiers that are downrange, what they do, and how they are pulled together as a team."
Strawder said he is humbled by the medal, but that it hasn't changed how he feels about himself. The specialist received his valor award for helping to repress an attack during a security patrol despite being shot in both legs.
"The real heroes are those who are still down there, and our family members who have to live with what happens to us," he said. "It's made me more appreciative of them."
"Of all the Army values, very few of us get to test our personal courage like these four Soldiers did," added Hunzeker. "When the time came, they didn't shy away, but they faced the enemy."
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