Spc. Richard D. Schmuck, Grafton, N.D., will be one of three soldiers from the 188th Air Defense Artillery Security Forces to be honored Friday for achievements while serving in Afghanistan.
About 150 soldiers of the 188th deployed to Afghanistan in March 2006. They returned to the United States last month. Four members of the unit died in Afghanistan: Cpl. Christopher Kleinwachter, 29, of Wahpeton, N.D.; Cpl. Nathan J. Goodiron, 25, of Mandaree, N.D.; Cpl. Curtis Mehrer, 21, Bismarck; and Sgt. Travis Van Zoest, 21, also of Bismarck.
The awards ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Friday in the Raymond J. Bohn Armory theater, 4200 E. Divide Ave., in Bismarck. The ceremony, open to the public, is expected to last 30 minutes.
Schmuck will receive the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Spc. Samuel W. Floberg, Fargo, will receive the Bronze Star with "V" device for Valor, Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge. He also will be promoted to sergeant.
ADVERTISEMENT
Staff Sgt. Loren W. Soma, Fargo, will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge.
Still deployed in Afghanistan are 39 soldiers with the 188th Air Defense Artillery's Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) team.
Twenty-one soldiers of the 132nd Quartermaster Company, Cando, N.D., are alerted and awaiting mobilization.
Info: www.ndguard.com .
