Oregon Public Broadcasting

An Iraq War vet from Lacey, Washington has received a rare commendation from the U-S Army – the second highest honor for combat valor. Staff Sergeant Chris Waiters was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross at a ceremony at Fort Lewis Thursday. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

Sgt. Waiters is a 26-year old Army medic who was serving in Ba-qu-bah, Iraq in April of last year. A US Bradley Fighting Vehicle had been struck and was on fire. Three soldiers were trapped inside. Waiters exited his vehicle, fired his weapon at the enemy and then ran to the Bradley – a distance of about 250 feet.
 
Waiters: "About half way down the street I realized, common sense kicked in, and I realized holy moly it's me and it was either turn back or keep going I’m already in hell, I might as well just keep going and I just continued to run on."

Waiters managed to rescue two of the soldiers. The third died. He receives the Distinguished Service Cross for extreme gallantry and risk of life in combat with the enemy. Waiters is the first Fort Lewis soldier to receive this honor in the post 9-11 era.