vehicle and got everyone out of that inferno. that was his code. a warrior who literally walked the fire for his troops. sergeant christopher a. celiz was leading an operation in the afghanistan. he cleared the area. he exposed himself to enemy fire in order to retrieve heavy weapon system that allowed his team to fight back and reach a secure location. during the firefight a member of his team was critically wounded. they called for medical evacuation. but as the rescue helicopter arrived and begin taking fire as well, the sergeant knew it was time and critical to get his wounded teammate loaded and treated. he put himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy. ensuring the aircraft could depart and sustaining what would prove to be a mortal wound. in the face of extreme danger he placed the safety of his team and his crew above his own.
tonight, an important one. president biden awarded the medal of honor to three soldiers earlier today. army sergeant first class alwyn c. cashe, army sergeant first class christopher a. celiz, an army master sergeant earl d. plumlee. each of whom have put themselves at great risk to save the lives of others. sadly, sergeant alwyn c. cashe and sergeant christopher a. celiz did not survive the injuries that they suffered in combat. today the president share their great stories of heroism sergeant alwyn c. cashe was a commanding in vehicle in and i patrol in iraq. they came under enemy fire. an improviser closely didn t aided igniting the vehicle shield and engulfing inflamed. the patrol was still taking enemy fire but alwyn c. cashe thought only of his fellow soldiers trapped in the compartment. so he pushed his own pain aside and return to the burning