Posted in

Army Captain Florent A. Groberg to receive Medal of Honor

by Jonn Lilyea••25

In August, 2012, Army Captain Florent A. Groberg, while leading a personal security detail for his commander, tackled a suicide bomber whose detonation caused a second bomber to detonate prematurely and saving most of the people he was supposed to protect. He was wounded himself and spent three years at Walter Reed recovering from that day. Late last month, he was informed by the President that he will be awarded the Medal of Honor on November 12th for his actions that day, according to the Army Times;

Groberg, who suffered severe wounds to his left leg, said his goal is to make sure others know about the four men who died that day: Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, the brigade’s senior enlisted soldier; Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, the brigade’s fire support coordinator; Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, of the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron; and Ragaei Abdelfattah, who was on his second voluntary tour with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“Four heroes, true heroes in this case, individuals who gave it all,” Groberg said. “This medal belongs to them. It is my mission to tell everyone, ‘Thank you for recognizing me, but this does not belong to me. It belongs to them.’ That’s how I’m coping with it mentally. This gives me an opportunity to represent them and their families.”

You might also like

Clarence Wolf Guts

Master Gunnery Sergeant Alain Reyes and Master Sergeant Greg Bartel saving the world

A whole series of heroes save one LCPL’s life

25 thoughts on “Army Captain Florent A. Groberg to receive Medal of Honor”

  5. Phony fuckers take note:

    It’s not about him. Notice how he mentions the sacrifices of everyone else around him. Get it?

    Bravo Zulu to the Captain.

  7. The Army Times article is one for the ages. If you haven’t read it–every word of it–do yourself a favor and read it closely. Incredible. Incredible. And I’m not talking about the act for which Captain Groberg will receive the nation’s highest military valor honor. I’m talking about Groberg, the man, the soldier.

    1. just the intro told me to buy a can of allergy meds and a new air filter before I view that.

    2. I have had dogs all my life and I’ll tell you this was one emotional video/story. Damn…..

      Thunderstixx – thank you for posting the link – I forwarded it to an old 5th SFG friend and a 1/9 USMC – Vietnam cohorts of mine.

    4. Am I wrong to think we need a post here about Sgt Canvas, and what a class act the Patriot Guard Riders are?
      By the way, what’s with all the dust in Park City? Can’t seem to clear up my eyes.

  11. It restores my faith in our military when I read and hear about troops like this. Like SFC D said BAMF

    1. “Just because you were dealt a shitty hand doesn’t mean you need to quit,” Groberg says. “Take whatever situation happened to you, turn it around and help others.” Captain Groberg.

      “I’m an American, my country was at war,” Groberg says. “I didn’t understand why other people had to go fight for me. To me, that wasn’t fair. I was put on this earth to run track and shoot guns and defend people. It was a calling.” Captain Groberg

      Captain Groberg was indeed a runner, a damn fine runner (college D1), but not one with a Kenyan physique: more like a linebacker than a distance runner. Something else about the captain: he became an American citizen after the French government (after two years) permitted him to renounce his French citizenship. The USMC nearly had him but that was the US Army’s gain. Helluva man. Helluva soldier. Helluvan American.

  14. My other half (H6) had the pleasure of meeting this fine man in 2013, and heard the story in person. He was actually overjoyed to hear Capt. Groberg was being awarded the MoH!

    H6 had worked with Maj. Grey in Germany, and held him in the deepest regard. So, when the “DG” 140 ruck march started, H6 followed their every move and met them in Arlington, where they were all able to say a final farewell and pay respects to the family.

    Dang, it sure is dusty here in Idaho too.

  15. Damn—-This story seems to aggravate my tear ducts, too. There’s something going on here.
    This Soldier earned his American citizenship–Semper Fi!

  16. It amazes me that a country that is spellbound by trash like the Kardashians and their drug-addled spouses can turn around and produce men of virtue like this. I’m amazed, but I thank God for it.

Comments are closed.