New York Army National Guard Specialist Justin Ruiz, a Bronx Resident, Recoginzed for Combat Valor

Related Media

Col. Michel M. Russell, Sr., 401st Army Field Support Brigade commander presents an Army Commendation Medal with the "V" device to Spc. Justin C. Ruiz. (US Army Photo by Summer Barkley)

BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN (07/20/2012)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Spc. Justin C. Ruiz, a Bronx resident serving in Afghanistan, has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal with the "V" device for valor.

The V device indicates participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

Ruiz was one of three New York Army National Guard Soldiers belonging to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who were involved in defending Forward Operating Base Salerno in eastern Afghanistan against an enemy attack on June 1.

The three were assigned to the 401st Army Field Support Brigade as customs agents.

Ruiz is a member of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion. He and the other Soldiers were assigned as customs agents for their nine-month tour of duty in the combat zone.

According to Army Public Affairs, the incident began about 1 p.m. on Friday, June 1.

Insurgents detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives near the post. The insurgents then tried to gain access to the base.

A firefight lasting about 30 minutes ensued with Ruiz ,and New York Army National Guard Specialist David P. Clark, from White Plains, engaging the enemy .

Ruiz said he was driving a small utility vehicle that was flipped by the blast concussion.

I was out cold," he said. "When I came to, I ran to my hooch and grabbed by gear and ammunition. I ran toward the noise and helped the unit pulling security."

The write-up for his award reads in part: "Without thought for his own safety Spc. Ruiz engaged the enemy with direct fire less than 75 feet away while receiving direct fire from automatic weapons, RPGs, and detonations stemming from enemy suicide vests. Spc, Ruiz assisted other Soldiers as they successfully prevented insurgents from gaining a foothold on the base. His skills as an infantryman were vital to the successful defense of his base. The actions in combat clearly displayed skill and bravery."

"I never thought I would work in my MOS [military occupation specialty]," said Ruiz, an infantryman assigned to medical support company.

"My NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) helped me get to where I needed to be to perform. My MOS helped me, " Ruiz said.

Clark also received the Army Commendation Medal with V device for his part in the action.

The awards were presented by Col. Michel Russell, commander of the 401st Army Field Support Brigade during a ceremony on July 12.

"They [Clark and Ruiz] briefed me on their ammo abatement program when I visited Salerno and two weeks later they're in full battle rattle engaging the enemy," said Col. Michel M. Russell, 401st AFSB commander, at the awards ceremony.

"This is no small feat," Russell added. "I salute you."

New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Eric J. Leon, a Port Washington, N. Y. native, took action to secure the Army Materiel Command compound and was awarded the Army Combat Badge for his part in the action.

NOTE: The information in this release come from an Army Press Release prepared by Summer Barkley and available at: http://www.army.mil/media/255811