Award

The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced by a law passed by U.S. Congress on July 2, 1926. The criteria for the medal are: "The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy." (Army Regulation 600-8-22).


Staff Sgt. Curtis Haines, of Hope, Ark., earned the Soldiers Medal, for his actions in the aftermath of a vehicular bomb explosion at a military checkpoint in Baghdad, Iraq, while deployed with the 39th Brigade Combat Team. The public is invited to attend the presentation of this distinguished award, which will take place at the Prescott High School auditorium.

On May 6, 2004, after receiving word of a vehicle detonation, Staff Sgt. Haines led his squad to the scene of the incident and quickly secured the site. Disregarding his own safety, Haines dove into a burning vehicle to retrieve an Iraqi citizen who was seriously injured and on fire. Haines pulled the civilian from the vehicle and carried him over fifty yards to safety, then immediately started to administer medical aid. He then transferred the citizen to more qualified medical personnel, ultimately saving the individual's life, before moving on to direct his troops in extending the area perimeter.

Thank You, and we are very proud of you.