Dozen Bragg soldiers receive Bronze Star medals

The following 82nd Airborne paratroopers were honored: Capt. Scott Haran, Sgt. Maj. Michael Clemens, Sgt. Shane Summers, Sgt. Edwin Fowler, Sgt. Chun Kim, Sgt. Steven Davis, Sgt. Jonathan Jones, Sgt. Jon Walker, Sgt. Torrey Denton, Sgt. Matthew McLaughlin and Sgt. Bryan Cyr.

Master Sgt. Craig Richardson, who has previously been stationed at Fort Bragg, was awarded the Bronze Star while in Iraq.

The Bronze Star is the nation's fourth-highest combat-related award.

Haran led multiple assaults to clear out heavily fortified insurgents who had attacked the Afghan National Civil Order Police headquarters. "During these assaults, Captain Haran exposed himself with disregard for his life to protect other paratroopers and to lead from the front for other leaders to emulate," his award citation stated.

Summers protected the wounded during an assault on his battalion's headquarters. "His leadership while under fire helped to save the lives of numerous paratroopers and enable the defeat of the enemy," according to his award citation.

Davis and Denton were praised for their leadership and tenacity in defeating insurgents who attacked a dismounted patrol in the village of Deheshk.

Davis' "unwavering dedication to his soldiers and Afghanistan national security forces partners are an example and inspiration to all and uphold the greatest traditions of the American paratrooper," his award citation stated.

"Denton's decisive actions, tenacious leadership and his determination to close with and destroy the enemy were instrumental in his platoon's success on the battlefield," stated his award citation.

Fowler was cited for his "fearlessness, leadership and dedication to duty" in leading a small group of paratroopers to repulse an attack. on Afghan police headquarters. Kim, a combat medic, displayed "uncommon" courage for treating casualties during an attack in Kandahar. Jones demonstrated "gallantry and valor" to destroy a machine gun nest, while McLaughlin placed himself in harm's way to protect others during an assault on police headquarters in Kandahar.

Clemens was noted for his service for as command sergeant major of the 4th Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment in Afghanistan, and Walker for improving the overall capabilities of Afghan forces.

Cyr was cited for his "personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme circumstances" that "greatly contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan.