\nCOURTESY OF U.S. ARMY
\nBy WYATT OLSON | STARS AND STRIPES <\/p>\n
Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos’ posthumous Silver Star will be upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor, during a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.
\nCOURTESY OF U.S. ARMY
\nBy WYATT OLSON | STARS AND STRIPES <\/p>\n
In the early hours of Oct. 3, 2009, more than 300 enemy fighters stormed an isolated U.S. outpost in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, overwhelming the mere 50 American troops stationed there.<\/p>\n
For the next 12 hours, the soldiers stationed at Combat Outpost Keating fought one of the deadliest battles of the long war in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Eight soldiers died and 27 were wounded in the Battle of Kamdesh, dubbed \u201ca day of heroes\u201d for the acts of valor displayed by those who repelled the attack.<\/p>\n
The Army awarded 37 Army Commendation Medals with V device for valor, 18 Bronze Stars with V device and nine Silver Stars to soldiers who fought that day. Two soldiers received Medals of Honor, the nation\u2019s highest award for heroism in combat.<\/p>\n
Among the dead was 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Justin Gallegos, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.<\/p>\n
Now, that medal is being upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the country\u2019s second highest award for valor.<\/p>\n
The fallen hero\u2019s teenage son, MacAiden Gallegos, will accept the award during a ceremony Saturday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, the Army said in a statement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Read the rest of the article at Stars and Stripes.<\/a><\/p>\n
Hat tip to AnotherPat for the link.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"