IP Prevent Attack, Receive Army Medal

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Pfc. Justin Naylor, USA

[SandRat]

Lt. Col. Terry Cook, 1st Cavalry Division, pins Commissioner Hameed Hermis, an Iraqi Police officer, with an Army Achievement Medal during a ceremony at the Provincial Joint Control Center in Kirkuk city, May 19. Photo by Pfc. Justin Naylor, 1st Cavalry Division.

KIRKUK — A small mosque here was recently the scene of a life and death struggle between four Iraqi Police (IP) and a teenage suicide bomber. The four IP succeeded in stopping and detaining the would-be bomber, potentially saving the lives of hundreds inside the mosque.

The four were honored for their actions with U.S. Army Achievement Medals during a ceremony here at the Provincial Joint Control Center, May 19.

"We are here to recognize the selfless acts of the IP.....they saved hundreds of lives," said Lt. Col. Terry Cook, 1st Cavalry Division, during his speech at the ceremony. "The actions of these Policemen highlight the exemplary performance of the IP in the city."

"They prevented a catastrophe in that mosque," explained the provincial IP commander, Maj. Gen. Jamal Tahir Bakir.

"These IP are willing to sacrifice themselves for the peace and security of this city," continued Bakir. "They are protecting Kurds, Arabs, Turkomen, and everyone else. They are working without discrimination.  I know that the rest of the IP will look up to these four honorable Policemen, and they will follow their examples."

According to intelligence sources, the suicide bomber, Ammar Afif Hamada, 19, was stopped by the IP at the Shi'ite Al-Zahra Mosque after he reportedly fired on a guard and charged into the mosque, where he was tackled and restrained to prevent him from detonating his suicide vest.

"There were so many people praying in that mosque," explained Commissioner Hameed Hermis, one of the Policemen who stopped the suicide bomber. "It was our duty to protect all of those people. As long as we wear our uniform, it will be part of our job to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for the people we serve, and it is great that we are being awarded this."

By Army regulation, Army Achievement Medals can be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States or friendly nations that have distinguished themselves while serving in some capacity with the United States Army.

(By Pfc. Justin Naylor, 1st Cavalry Division)

[SandRat]

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[Eagles6]

Don’t understand the US Army Achievement Medal for Iraqi IP but they did good anyhow.

[Grimmy]

Some outstanding attitude voiced by the IP interviewed in that piece.

I hope such mindset is catching on.

[Crazy Jim]

3. Criteria: The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. The Army Achievement Medal will not be awarded to general officers.

From: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/aam.shtml

http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/ima/medals/aam.jpg

[Eagles6]

Thanks for the info.