MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Retired U.S. Army Master. Sgt. Richard Cicero received a Canadian Chief of Defense Staff Commendation medal during a ceremony presided by Marine Maj. Gen. William Beydler, director of U.S. Central Command’s Plans and Policies Directorate, and Canadian Defense Forces Col. Paul Keddy, Canadian senior national representative to USCENTCOM, here July 23.
“It’s a unique privilege to be asked by our Chief of Defense Staff in Canada to extend our nation’s deepest appreciation to Richard Cicero,” said Keddy.
Cicero, who served as a military contractor working with improvised explosive device detection dogs, earned the award for his actions during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010 when he saved an injured Canadian soldier. Despite enemy fire, Cicero took life-saving steps to care for the Canadian soldier who lost his leg in the blast and then secure the landing zone for the casualty evacuation. Cicero later lost his right arm and leg in a separate IED blast.
“You’re brothers in arms of the Oscar Company Combat Team and especially the Combat Engineers of Echo 33D thank you for your brave and selfless actions on July 31, 2010. Your tenacity in the face of the enemy and unwavering loyalty to a teammate in his time of need are a credit to you and in keeping with the military traditions of both our countries,” said his Canadian section commander in a quote read by Keddy during the ceremony ....
