By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

A former 1st Infantry Division Soldier has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The prestigious honor was presented to former Sgt. Robert “Mike” Debolt Thursday at Fort Riley. Debolt, who had been assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, had previously received the Silver Star for his actions in 2008 in Afghanistan. The ceremony on Thursday upgraded 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.

Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, hosted the ceremony. He told the audience Sgt. Debolt put his teammates first. “He wore his jersey, the cloth of our great nation, and our jersey was selflessness. He left his jersey in a better place.”

Funk stated it was a privilege this “American hero and extraordinary family.”

Debolt entered into the United States Army on Aug. 27, 2007, from Gahanna, Ohio. He deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008 with 3rd BCY, 1st Inf. Div. and was awarded the Silver Star on May 28, 2009, for his actions on Sept. 4, 2008 while serving as an infantry rifleman 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 the burning clothing.

Debolt fought through his own 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 concert enemy ambush helped save the life of one of his fellow soldiers while helping to prevent serious injury to another.

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 Zanesville, Ohio, where he owns and manages a barbershop.