FORT RILEY, Kan. – A former 1st Infantry Division Soldier will be presented
the Distinguished Service Cross in a ceremony scheduled for March 28 at
10:30 a.m. in Victory Park next to the division headquarters.

Former Sgt. Robert “Mike” Debolt, who was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, previously received the Silver
Star for his actions in 2008 in Afghanistan. This ceremony will officially
upgrade that previous award. The Army ordered the upgrade after the
completion of a comprehensive, year-long Military Decorations and Awards
Review, which was ordered by then Sec. of Def. Ash Carter.

Eleven other awards were identified for upgrade to the Distinguished Service
Cross as a part of this review. There are currently three other ceremonies
scheduled at other locations.Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, will
host the ceremony.Debolt entered into the United States Army on Aug. 27, 2007, from Gahanna,
Ohio. He deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008 with 3rd BCT, 1st
Inf. Div. He was awarded the Silver Star on May 28, 2009, for his actions on
Sept. 4, 2008. After recovering from his wound, he returned to his unit in
March 2009. He was honorably discharge from the Army on Sept. 28, 2008.

The narration for Debolt’s Silver Star reads in part:
. for gallantry in action on 4 September 2008, while serving as an infantry
rifleman assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st
Infantry Division, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After his
vehicle struck an improvised explosive device and became engulfed in flames,
Pvt. Debolt extracted himself and extinguished the flames covering more than
half of his body. Realizing that his teammates were still trapped inside the
burning wreckage, and ignoring his own extensive wounds and the continued
enemy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire directed at his vehicle,
he helped to pull his teammates from the vehicle to safety while
extinguishing their burning clothing. Debolt fought through his own blinding
pain, refusing to leave his teammates until he himself was nearly
incapacitated from his own wounds and shock. His actions at the start of a
concerted enemy ambush helped save the life of one of his fellow Soldiers
while helping to prevent serious injury to another. Debolt’s courage under
fire is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and
reflects great credit upon himself, Task Force RAMROD, the Combined Joint
Task Force-101, and the United States Army.

The Distinguished Service Cross is the military’s second highest valor
decoration and is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual
combat with an armed enemy force.

Debolt currently resides in the Zanesville, Ohio, where he owns and manages
a barbershop.