Army Reservist earns Silver Star

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. Army Reservist from Colorado will receive the Silver Star for his heroism during an ambush by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, military official say.

Army Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske, 28, of Colorado Springs will be awarded the medal at a ceremony in Orlando, Fla., this month for his actions during a firefight with Taliban fighters April 21 in Kapisa province, the Armed Forces Press Service reported Wednesday.

Ruske was assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 101 when he and other soldiers from Task Force Gladiator were attacked by a large heavy grenade, machine-gun and rifle fire from a larger Taliban force.

Ruske returned fire while the platoon sought safety and then moved to a rooftop where he continued providing cover fire even after being shot in the hip.

Ruske then spotted a wounded Afghan National Police officer trying to crawl to safety. He ordered a protective cover while he and Spc. Eric Seagraves raced to the Afghan's aid, dragging him out of harm's way while dodging enemy fire.

"I don't consider myself a hero," Ruske said, calling it a team effort. "I was just an ordinary guy put in an extraordinary situation. I reacted based on my upbringing, training and compassion, and thankfully, it worked out in the end."

Ruske, now back at his civilian job as a juvenile corrections officer in Denver, will become the fourth Army Reservist to receive the Silver Star in recent years.