Bronze Cross Medals For Storm Heroes

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 26): Bronze Cross Medals For Storm Heroes

Twenty-one soldiers, who risked their lives in a bid to rescue a whole community at the height of typhoon “Pablo,” will receive today the Bronze Cross Medal, one of the highest combat awards in the military. The 21 soldiers belong to the Charlie Company of the 66th Infantry Battalion. Maj. Harold M. Cabunoc, the Army spokesman, said Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista will personally pin the Bronze Cross Medal award on four injured soldiers now confined at the AFP Medical Center (AFPMC) in V. Luna, Quezon City.

Those who will receive the medal in an awarding ceremony scheduled at 10 a.m. today at the AFPMC are 1Lt. Marvin Miniano Deazeta, 2Lt. Jose Enrico Dela Rosa, PFC Albert Linasa Puyunan, and Private Ryan Magno. Cabunoc said similar awarding ceremony will be held at the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) where the rest of the awardees are also recuperating from their sustained injuries. The Bronze Cross Medal is one of the highest combat awards given to Army personnel. It is next in succession to the Medal for Valor award, being the highest, Distinguished Conduct Star, and Gold Cross Medal. It can be awarded for both combat and non-combat accomplishments, and is given to military personnel for acts that involve the risk of life other than those of actual conflict with the enemy. The cross symbolizes risk of life and sacrifice, and the wreath strands for honor which the awardee deserves.

Deazeta and his men were stationed in Barangay Andap, New Bataan town, on December 4 when they gathered residents and boarded them on two military trucks to bring them to safer grounds. But a sudden surge of floodwater with boulders, mud, and huge tree trunks suddenly engulfed the whole community and swept all of them, including the soldiers. Despite these, the soldiers were still able to rescue some of the residents. Seven soldiers died, many were injured, while four remain missing as of this day. The award states that “Deazeta and his troops courageously and fearlessly risked their lives, and evacuated the populace of Barangay Andap to higher and safer grounds at the height of typhoon Pablo…Their ultimate display of heroism, dedication, devotion to duty and selflessness greatly contributed to the great desire to save human lives whom the Battalion has sworn to secure and protect.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/387264/bronze-cross-medals-for-storm-heroes