BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (April 29, 2008) -- A sergeant with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team's 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry was awarded a Bronze Star for valor April 24 at Fire Base Naray in Kunar province for his actions in combat.
Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet received his medal from Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, Combined Joint Task Force-101 deputy commanding general for operations, for saving more than a dozen Soldier's lives during a combat operation in Kunar province July 27, 2007.
That day the Quick Reaction Team with which Inabnet was on duty was called out to reinforce International Security Assistance Forces engaged in combat with insurgents.
"We first set out after receiving word that four casualties on the ground were injured and two of them were serious," said Inabnet, a wheeled vehicle mechanic. "Once we arrived we got the four injured in the vehicles and dropped them off at the (medical evacuation) site."
Shortly afterward, Inabnet provided first aid to a wounded Soldier from his QRT.
"Once we had all the equipment and personnel, we started to head back," said Inabnet. "That's when we started taking (rocket propelled grenade) and small-arms fire."
As the group tried to break contact, several Soldiers were wounded and put into Inabnet's vehicle.
"My main goal was to get these guys back to the helicopter landing zone so they could survive," said Inabnet. "I ended up staying up for hours until we got all our guys back inside the (forward operating base)."
"That day will be with me for a long time," he said. "I would like to thank the Lord above and all my brothers who were in that fight with me."
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