The Heroic Actions of This Former Army Captain; He Received the Medal of Honor Today

Aimee Herd : Nov 12, 2015
Baltimore Sun

"My job was simple: protect the principals—no matter the outcome." -former Capt. Florent Groberg

(Washington, DC)—It is only the 10th time that a living service member received the Medal of Honor for their actions in Afghanistan or Iraq, according to the Fox News report. But today, former Army Captain Florent Groberg was honored for his great heroism that saved lives. (AP Photo/via US News)

In 2012, Capt. Groberg was part of an escort for senior leaders heading for a meeting with an Afghan governor in the Kunar Province, when they encountered a suspicious man approaching.

What he did next was pure reaction.

"You don't have time to think and analyze the situation," Groberg told the Baltimore Sun in an interview.

"You trust your instincts, and you do what you were trained to do," explained Groberg. "My job was simple: protect the principals—no matter the outcome."

And that he did, although it nearly cost his life.

Groberg ran toward the suicide bomber, tackling him to the ground where the attacker's vest was detonated. The entire event took just 8 seconds.

According to the Baltimore Sun report, four men were killed, but many more were saved that day because of Groberg's heroic actions.

The Army captain spent almost three years at Walter Reed, undergoing over 30 surgeries during his recovery. (Photo by: Christian Murdock/The Gazette/AP, File/via Fox News)

On Thursday, Capt. Groberg was awarded the Medal of Honor by the president in a ceremony at the White House.

However, Groberg reportedly isn't all that comfortable with the title of "hero," as he recalls those who were killed in the attack.

"I'm so blessed and honored for the medal, but it doesn't belong to me," Groberg told reporters, prior to receiving the award. Then, referring to those who lost their lives when the bomb vest exploded, he said, "It belongs to them."