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Towanda native decorated with Silver Star

Nov-12-2007 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Daily & Sunday Review

The platoon sergeant went down from his injuries. But despite being shot twice, and with shrapnel embedded in his neck and his right soldier, McGuire, 33, took control.
"I was just trying to get people out of there," he said of the March 16 firefight.

The heroism earned him the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest decoration for combat valor.
McGuire was one of seven soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who received the award after returning from the Iraq war. One soldier received the honor on behalf of Sgt. Jason Harkins, who was killed weeks after his heroic action.
More awards for the brigade are possible.

A specialist assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest award for combat valor, said Major Jack Vantress, operations officer. The nomination is awaiting final approval. The cross has been awarded six times since the U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan, according to the Home of Heroes Web site.

If approved, the award will be presented during the brigade's change-of-command ceremony Nov. 21 at Fort Lewis.

Along with that, approval is pending for up to six more Silver Stars to soldiers in the brigade.

Of the Silver Stars awarded Thursday, all the soldiers but McGuire were assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. McGuire is assigned to the 18th Engineer Company.
The soldiers were decorated for actions in Baquoba between March and June.

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