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CCA Grad Receives U.S. Secretary’s Award For Valor

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Contributed by: Tracy Williams on 12/12/2007

Army reservist and 1992 Community College of Aurora (CCA) graduate 1st Lt. David Tiedeman has been awarded the Secretary of Homeland Security's Award for Valor for his heroics in Iraq during a fierce firefight 25 miles east of Baghdad in April 2005.

Tiedeman, who received the military's Silver Star for his courage earlier this year, received this latest award from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff at the Secretary's third annual awards ceremony, held December 5th at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

It is the highest departmental award given for extraordinary acts of valor while on or off duty. The award is only given in extraordinary circumstances and recipients must have demonstrated courage in a highly dangerous, life-threatening situation or emergency under extreme stress and involving a specific act of valor.

Tiedeman's actions fit the bill.

Tiedeman was with his platoon of 24 U.S. soldiers and approximately 200 Iraqi soldiers searching for a weapons cache south of Balad Ruz when they were ambushed by fierce enemy fire.

It was during this battle that he risked his life to save Sgt. Robert Betterton, a fellow soldier who, because they were under such heavy fire, decided to clear a trench for them but was shot eight times and trapped there with insurgent gunfire and grenades flying overhead.

Knowing that if he survived, he would need to carry his injured comrade out of that ditch, Tiedeman left his rifle behind and jumped into the ditch with only a handgun to provide cover for Betterton, who pleaded with Tiedeman to save himself.

Tiedeman refused to leave him behind, vowing to save Betterton or die trying.

Although the platoon lost two U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers, they emerged from the battle victorious with 17 insurgents dead and the rest driven out.

Tiedeman, whose wife Angie is CCA's Director of Student Life, received a standing ovation as he was presented with the award.

"I'm proud to join you this afternoon and acknowledge those who have risen above and beyond the call of duty," said Chertoff as he addressed the award winners and their families, many of whom traveled from different locations across the country and beyond -- to be present at the ceremony.

"Today's award recipients have not only done what are often dangerous and difficult jobs-they have done them well," he said.

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Tracy Williams

Denver , CO

Tracy Williams has posted 321 stories and 0 comments since joining on 11/29/2006. Tracy Williams 's average story rating is 4.8.

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