KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER WILL RECEIVE MEDALs FOR SERVICE IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

Kansas Army National Guardsman SFC Lloyde Mattix, recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge for service in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Lloyde F. Mattix will be presented with a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge during a special ceremony on Saturday, June 30, 9 a.m., at the National Guard Armory in Newton , Kan. Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, will present the awards to Mattix who deployed as a platoon sergeant with Battery B, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery in support of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34 Infantry Division to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Mattix will be awarded the medals as a result of injuries he sustained as a result of indirect fire in Iraq on Feb. 22. During the attack, Staff Sgt. David Berry of Wichita was killed and seven other Kansas National Guard soldiers from the same battalion were wounded.

“It will be with great honor and pride that I will present these awards to Sgt. 1st Class Mattix,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas adjutant general. “He is to be commended for his dedication and bravery and the many sacrifices he has made.”

"When the dust settles, this unit will be the longest deployed and most combat decorated outfit per capita in the Kansas Army National Guard since World War II," said Lt. Col. Dave Johnson, Battalion Commander.

The Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery will have been awarded 13 Purple Hearts, 17 Bronze Stars, one Meritorious Service Medal, 29 Army Commendation Medals and 125 Combat Action Badges.

Well done, SFC Mattix!