South Dakota native earns Medal of Valor

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A native of Lemmon, South Dakota, has been honored for saving the lives of four soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Bismarck Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1hazVn3 ) that military contractor Dave Jensen received the Secretary of Defense Medal of Valor during a recent ceremony at the Pentagon.

The Army says Jensen was serving as an operational adviser with the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group in September 2012 when a CH-47 helicopter he was aboard was hit by a rocket.

Jensen described his actions as “situational awareness and vigilance,” saying his training and experience as a veteran took over.

He says he was almost sure the helicopter was hit by indirect fire or a rocket. He says he knew there was a problem, and he tried to fix it the best he could.

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com