Matt Blain Honored With Rare Soldier's Medal For River Rescue (VIDEO)

Rare Medal Awarded To Soldier Who Saved Comrades From Drowning

Former Staff Sgt. Matt Blain joined an elite group of soldiers when he was awarded with the rare 'Soldier's Medal' for heroism Saturday.

Blain received the medal for his role in rescuing comrades from an MRAP armored vehicle that tipped over into a raging river in Afghanistan.

The Orange County Register notes that Blain jumped into the water without any apparent thought for his own safety, and lifted a 500lb door to help save the men trapped inside from drowning.

The Laguna Beach Independent quotes Col. Brian Mennes, of the officers dispatched to California from Fort Bragg, N.C., to award Blain the medal emphasized how rare that honor is: “This is my first in 27 years."

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