Staff Sergeant Mark Badger
Explosive Ordnance Disposal, 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Operating Location-Bravo, Afghanistan

During Staff Sergeant MARK BADGER’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, he exemplified dedication to mission accomplishment by deftly eliminating more than 60 improvised explosive devices.

On October 5, Sergeant Badger and two fellow EOD technicians were providing counter-IED support to an Army cavalry company. The company’s mission was to clear access routes, establish a strong point, and flush out insurgents in an extremely hostile environment surrounding Fish Mountain in southern Afghanistan.

Displaying exceptional courage, the EOD team helped disarm, analyze, and eliminate four victim-operated IEDs. Unfortunately, as the EOD Airmen and soldiers prepared to depart, an explosion occurred, overcoming Sergeant Badger’s team members and soldiers nearby.

Despite being peppered by shrapnel, Sergeant Badger quickly responded without concern for his personal safety. First he aided a team member, treating the Airmen’s grave wounds and directing the activities of an inexperienced medic.

After preparing his team member for evacuation, Sergeant Badger ran to tend to the movement’s team leader, who had been blown more than 15 feet up the side of a mountain. Again Sergeant Badger directed the medic to properly care for the wounded Airman.

Incredibly, after disarming four IEDs and surviving an explosion, Sergeant Badger put his life on the line once more. He solely cleared suspected IED hazards, creating a safe path to move his teammates out of the area for evacuation. Only after ensuring the safety of others did he agree to be medically evacuated from the area.

Sergeant Badger’s courageous actions and exemplary performance saved his team leader’s life and helped provide a safer environment for Coalition Forces operating in Afghanistan.

For his bravery on October 5, Sergeant Badger was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. He was also awarded an additional Army Commendation Medal for exceptional performance during his six-month deployment.