Armed Forces News

Retired Army Capt. Florent A. Groberg of Bethesda, Md., will receive the Medal of Honor for heroism he demonstrated during combat operations in Afghanistan in August 2012. President Obama will present the award to Groberg during a Nov. 12 White House ceremony. According to official records, Groberg was leading five soldiers on a security detail for senior leaders to meet with the provincial governor of Asadabad. Some 28 other coalition and Afghan security troops accompanied them. A man carrying a bomb emerged from a building, walking backwards, arousing suspicion from Groberg and Sgt. Andrew J. Mahoney, his radio operator. Groberg and Mahoney jumped on the would-be attacker and pushed him to the ground. Then Groberg pulled the trigger to detonate the bomb, killing the attacker. A second suicide bomber then managed to detonate his bomb, killing five persons on the mission, including fellow service members and a volunteer. Groberg was severely wounded, and medically retired from the Army as a result. He has since undergone 33 surgeries to keep from losing his leg. Mahoney earned a Silver Star for his role in the operation.