By TSG Gary Hicks
National Guard Bureau Public Affairs

6/29/05, ARLINGTON, VA – A Tennessee National Guardsman was among the first to receive the Army’s newest combat medal during a ceremony at the Pentagon today.

SM of the Army Kenneth Preston pinned Tennessee Army National Guard SGT Timothy Gustafson with the Combat Action Badge making him the first Guard Soldier to receive the award.

"It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of my fellow National Guard Soldiers who are in harms way and still fighting," said SGT Gustafson who lost his right leg beneath the knee on Jan. 24 after a road-side bomb detonated. "It's somewhat of a burden that I’m not there with them right now."

SGT Gustafson was serving in Iraq with his unit, the 1st Battalion, 278th Field Artillery when his convoy came under attack.

The badge presented to SGT Gustafson and four others during the ceremony was designed to recognize all Soldiers who are in combat not just combat arms personnel.

"The badge may be awarded to any Soldier, branch and military occupational specialty immaterial, performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement," as stated in Army regulations.

Visit the CAB website; click here.

SM of the Army Kenneth Preston pins the Combat Action Badge on SGT Timothy Gustafson during a ceremony at the Pentagon June 29. Photo courtesy of NGB

Story Copyright to GX: The Guard Experience