America's North Shore Journal

TIKRIT, Iraq – A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was awarded the Silver Star medal with Valor in a ceremony in Baqubah July 18.

Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger earned one of the highest military decorations for valorous actions leading to the defeat of enemy forces and saving the lives of friendly forces April 9 in Buhritz and Baqubah.

“I consider myself a Soldier, not a hero,” said Bittinger after the ceremony. “I’m an infantryman. It’s my duty; it’s my job.”

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) A U.S. soldier was awarded the Silver Star on Monday for thwarting an insurgent attack on an Iraqi police station and a governor’s residence.

Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger was given the medal in a ceremony held on a U.S. base in Baqouba, a city north of Baghdad that has been a hotspot of resistance to coalition forces. The medal was given in recognition of ”gallantry on the battlefield” during the April 9 attack on the governor’s residence in the city and an Iraqi police station.

”I feel we stopped them. We stopped them real hard,” Bittinger, who is assigned to the 1st Infantry’s 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery unit, told Associated Press Television News.

”That’s what I’m supposed to be doing here,” said the 33-year-old Chicago native.

Bittinger enlisted in the army May 18, 1992, and has served three tours in Germany and one in the United States, the military said.

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, five Army Achievement medals, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, three Good Conduct medals and the Silver Star.