LEXINGTON, Ky. — Five years after saving his fellow soldiers when they were hit by an IED in Afghanistan, a Kentucky National Guardsman and Lexington Firefighter is awarded one of the highest military honors, the Silver Star. The ceremony was held Sunday morning in Louisville.
Ison was recognized for his strength and heroism as he saved his clearance platoon from gunfire and a detonated IED. “We were clearing a route, had been on it for days, ended up a vehicle had gotten in front of us and it hit an IED. Then it initiated an ambush which he ended up having to fight as well as help those individuals that were in the vehicle,” says Captain Ison. Captain Ison is visibly uncomfortable when asked about being honored with the Silver Star. He says, “I was just doing my job.” But not only did he aid those four soldiers struck by the IED, he led his platoon to continue fighting.
“The actual event of helping them only lasted 5 minutes. The actual attack lasted for over 50 minutes so there were other instances of what we had to do,” says Captain Ison.
Full story: Lexington Firefighter Honored With Silver Star