Press Release Index
CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186
FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Dec 05, 2009

Rensselaer County National Guard Soldier Honored By Uso

st Sgt. James Meltz of Cropseyville Receives George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award

NEW YORK, NY (12/10/2009)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard 1st Sgt. James Meltz, a New York State Trooper from Cropseyville, NY, received the USO of Metropolitan New York's Prestigious George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award at the organization's Annual Armed Forces Gala & Gold Medal Dinner , on Wednesday Dec. 9 in Manhattan. Meltz, a member of the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team, has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry. He received the Bronze Star for Valor for his actions in Iraq in 2008 while serving as First Sgt, of D Co. 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry. After his company was ambushed he rescued Soldiers from a burning humvee, returned fire with a machinegun, and then continually exposed himself to the enemy as he assisted the company commander in organizing a successful resistance and counterattack. Meltz served on Active Duty and in the Army Reserve before joining the New York Army National Guard in 2003. This is the second year in a row in which the New York Army National Guard has represented the Army in receiving the prestigious award, which is presented to one member of each armed service annually. In 2008 the award went to 1st Sgt. Troy Steward of Buffalo, a member of 2nd Battalion 101st Cavalry, who also served in Afghanistan. Photo Cutlines: 091209-A-2224F-0023 New York, NY--General Raymond Odierno, the commander of Multi-National Forces- Iraq congratulations New York Army National Guard 1st Sgt. James Meltz following Meltz's receipt of George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award from the USO of Metropolitan New York, at the organization's annual Annual Armed Forces Gala & Gold Medal Dinner in Manhattan on Dec. 9. Meltz , a resident of Cropseyville, NY and a New York State Trooper in civilian life, was serving as 1st Sgt. of D Company 108th Infantry in Afghanistan in 2008 when he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor after rescuing Soldiers from a damaged humvee and then joining the company commander in leading the company in repelling a Taliban ambush. 091209-A-2444F-0039 New York, NY- New York Army National Guard 1st Sgt. James Meltz poses with his wife Colleen and daughter Ginny following his receipt of the prestigious George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award from the USO of Metropolitan New York at the organization's annual Manhattan dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Meltz, a resident of Cropsyville, NY and a member of the New York State Police in civilian life, was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his actions in combat in Afghanistan in 2008 while serving as 1st Sgt. of the New York Army National Guard's D Company, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry. Photos by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, Joint Forces Headquarters-- New York FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-Army-National-Guard/112535293973?ref=search&sid=100000443776901.3155842963..1 Twitter: http://twitter.com/NationalGuardNY YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/nynationalguard

Attachments:


© NYS DMNA Press Release:Rensselaer County National Guard Soldier Honored By Uso
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1260556224
18.118.151.112
Page Last Modified: Dec 11, 2009