North Liberty soldier receives Bronze Star with Valor Medal

NORTH LIBERTY- A North Liberty soldier received a prestigious military award Saturday, June 18, for his action in combat. The ceremony was held at the North Liberty Community Center.

Sgt. Daniel Robbins was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Medal for his heroism while under attack in Afghanistan on Sept. 10, 2009.

Robbins and his team saved three lives that day; those of two Afghan soldiers and one U.S. soldier.  Robbins, a trained combat medic, kept the men alive for five hours until he and his unit were able to carry the soldiers 700 meters to the awaiting helicopter for transport.

“We chose to risk our lives, a small team of us went out to med-evac, casualties over a mile under sniper fire and very precise targeting,” Robbins said.

“He always said he was never going into the military. Ever,” the Bronze Star recipient's mother, Diane Bekel, said. But Robbins, who comes from a long line of family members who've served in the military, had a change of heart in 2008 and enlisted.

“I was doing college for architecture and I just wanted to do something more,” said Robbins, who is in his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Robbins doesn't necessarily see himself as a hero. He said he was just doing his job.

“Otherwise, we would have waited to nightfall and they wouldn't have made it,” he said about the 2009 event that earned him the Bronze Star.

Diane Bekel disagrees. “I'm so grateful he was there for the people he was able to save. I'm so grateful he ended up not being a casualty,” she said.

Even after an emotional speech by U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa; recognition from Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Shroyer; and being pinned by his wife, Ashley, in front of about two dozen family members and friends, Robbins says his mind is still with his comrades fighting the war against terror.

“I think the highlight is being overseas with my friends.  That's where it's at. You get a really good bond when you're over there,” Robbins said.

Robbins is to head back to Afghanistan on Tuesday, June 21, to complete his second tour of duty. He plans to leave the army in January 2012, and hopes to pursue a degree in psychiatry.