Former Fort Carson soldier awarded Medal of Honor
President Barack Obama awarded Captain Florent A. Groberg with the Medal of Honor at the White House Thursday morning.
Groberg received the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Personal Security Detachment Commander for Task Force Mountain Warrior, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during combat operations in Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan on August 8, 2012.
Groberg tackled a suicide bomber. He suffered a serious leg injury and underwent more than 30 surgeries.
Four people died in the attack.
Groberg is the tenth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan.
Groberg is the third soldier from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to be awarded the medal of honor.
Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement:
“Captain Groberg is a deserving recipient of our nation’s highest honor. The bravery and heroism he displayed in Afghanistan, risking his life to protect and save more than two dozen Americans and Afghans, is representative of his selfless character. Our country will forever owe Captain Groberg our thanks. His service is a testament of the honor and sacrifice that has been the hallmark of the Medal of Honor since its creation.”
Senator Cory Gardner also weighed in:
“To say that CaptainGrobergdisplayed bravery and selflessness on the battlefield is to drastically understate his actions. The courage he showed in physically wrestling a suicide bomber to the ground to protect civilians and his fellow soldiers should serve as an inspiration to all Americans. In CaptainGroberg, we have all received a reminder of the true character of the men and women who serve our country in uniform. I join all Coloradans in commending CaptainGrobergfor his heroism and congratulating him on this richly-deserved honor. I am humbled by his willingness to lay down his life for our country and I am truly grateful for his service.”
Medal of Honor recipients are honored daily at the Center for American Values.
More than 150 recipients have portraits on display there and the center hopes Groberg’s will be ready by Sept. 11, 2017, when the Medal of Honor national convention will come to Pueblo.
“I was proud, yet another person with a Colorado connection received the Medal of Honor,” said Matt Albright, program coordinator.
He calls the Pueblo center’s display humbling.
“When you see these guys on the wall and realize each one of them did so much. And it’s selfless,” he said.
The center is the only public display of Medal of Honor recipients in the United States.
