Fort Bliss Soldiers Honored with Medal of Valor

Two soldiers stationed at Fort Bliss received the Medal of Valor for their actions while under attack in Afghanistan.

Spc. Robert Gillespie and Pfc. Nile Clarke were in a convoy that was ambushed in the Zabul Province. According to the El Paso Times, the soldiers:

both exposed themselves to enemy fire, returned fire and allowed a six-vehicle convoy they were riding in to free itself up. No American soldiers were killed or wounded in the incident.

1st Armored Division, Deputy Chief of staff Lt. Col. Ed Brady, who was the soldiers' commander in Afghanistan, said:

"I'm really proud of them. Not only are they good soldiers, but they are good people. They did, that day, what was expected of them. It says a lot about their leadership and their training. I'm just proud to be associated with them."

Both men were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device Wednesday by the U. S. Army 38th Chief of Staff, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.