CRANSTON, R.I. -- Fourteen soldiers will get medals for their actions in Afghanistan at a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, the commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard announced Thursday in a news release.
Maj. Gen. Kevin R. McBride, adjutant general of Rhode Island, said the soldiers are from the 169th Military Police Company and the medals are for actions on Dec. 2, 2012, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device blew up near the base defense tower.
Sgt. Quinn Rogan will receive a Bronze Star medal with valor and a Purple Heart.
Staff Sgt. Michael Church will receive an Army Commendation medal with valor and a Purple Heart.
12 members will receive Bronze Star medals.
Rogan received shrapnel wounds while manning the base defense tower. Church was also injured in the blast. Both continued to engage the enemy while wounded and significantly contributed to repelling the enemy and securing the base, McBride said.