CRANSTON, RI – On Friday, May 26, U.S. Senator Jack Reed joined the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard, Major General Christopher P. Callahan, and retired Command Sergeant Major John McDonough to present three veterans with medals earned during their tour of duty in Iraq. 

The three recipients – SGT John Cervone; 1LT Russel Donahue; and SPC Mark Braden – were deployed together and served with the 65th Press Camp in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when their unit came under direct hostile fire in Iraq on June 23, 2008.

In recognition of their dedicated service, Senator Reed and Major General Callahan presented the three veterans with U.S. Army Combat Action Badges (CAB).

The Combat Action Badge is awarded for having been personally present and under direct hostile enemy fire during combat operations.

Cervone and Donahue were awarded their badges during a special medal ceremony at Senator Reed’s Cranston office. Braden, a Woonsocket native, currently lives in Georgia and participated virtually in the special ceremony.

“It is my honor to present these dedicated individuals with the combat awards they earned while taking hostile fire on the battlefield.  Even after all these years, it is important that we recognize their dedicated and selfless service,” said Senator Reed, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Combat Action Badge is a silver badge 2-inches in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver.

Medal Ceremony 1Medal Ceremony 2