Two 19th Engineer Soldiers stood in front of leaders and peers in Fort Knox's Haszard Auditorium Feb. 26 to be honored for their actions in 2018 while deployed to Afghanistan.Commander of 20th Engineer Brigade Col. Patrick Sullivan pinned Purple Heart medals on Cpl. Dylan Huneycutt and Spc. Hector Charles, both from 42nd Clearance Company, as fellow engineers from 19th and its parent unit, the 20th, applauded."It's one of our most cherished military traditions to recognize the physical wounds of combat," said Sullivan. "We recognize it as to how we do casualty treatment and care over time, but having a medal on your uniform is another form of recognition."That's significant; it tells a story of who you are, what you did and what you contributed to your units over the course of your career."The combat engineers from 42nd deployed, 147 total, to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel from Nov. 2, 2018 to July 18, 2019. While there, they performed tasks for 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team -- part of 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York. The clearance company operated with four route clearance platoons, two in which Huneycutt and Charles served.Charles sustained his injuries Nov. 12, while conducting a route clearance patrol in the vicinity of Camp Shorab. The vehicle he was in struck an improvised explosive device, causing him to suffer from a traumatic brain injury.Twelve days later, on Nov. 24, Huneycutt was hit by an improvised explosive device while attempting to clear an area for maneuvering in Contingency Location Dwyer. The team leader suffered a traumatic brain injury in the attack."Thank you for everything you do and what you represent to your units here at Fort Knox," said Sullivan to Huneycutt and Charles.After the ceremony, all those in attendance lined up to shake the hands of both decorated combat engineers.Related Links:For more information about Fort Knox, go here.Read more Fort Knox News here.