As Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Badger and his team walked the streets of southern Afghanistan in search of improvised bombs last October, one went off just feet from him.
His first instinct was to ignore his concussion and let adrenaline take over to make sure the rest of the soldiers were safe.
It was a similar surge of adrenaline two days later that helped him save the life of a bomb disposal teammate and assist with the medical treatment of another.
Badger, 30, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, was awarded a Purple Heart on Monday morning at Peterson Air Force Base.
He also has received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for performing combat lifesaver skills in response to detonations that occurred near the village of Hendu Kalacheh.
via Colorado airman receives Purple Heart | badger, force, team – Cannon Connections: News.
god blessed our family when this EOD hero was deployed 10/5/10, you’ll always have my heart, thank you for your service and sacrifice