Story by By: Kalei Brooks

CAMP DENALI, Alaska – An Alaska Army National Guard Soldier has earned the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. military for her actions in combat while deployed in Iraq.

Spc. Veronica M. Alfaro, 23, distinguished herself through exceptional gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States on Jan. 15, earning the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, which identifies the award is a result of contact with the enemy. Originally from Modesto, Calif., Alfaro is a combat medic and driver with Bravo Company, 297th Support Battalion, Alaska Army National Guard.

Spc. Veronica Alfaro, center, stands with her truck crew members Spc. Stephen Vrabel, left, and Sgt. Brandi Brenden. All three were together on Jan. 15 when their convoy was ambushed on one of the main U.S. supply routes that connects Baghdad and Basra, Iraq. Alfaro was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for her exceptional gallantry in action that night. Alfaro is originally from Modesto, Calif, and Vrabel and Brenden are from Eagle River. Photo: Courtesy Alaska Army National Guard

"Spc. Alfaro's bravery is a shining example to us all," said Maj. Gen. Craig E. Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard. "I applaud her heroism in the midst of battle. We are grateful that the quick actions she took, as well as those of her fellow Soldiers, helped save lives on the battlefield."

On Jan. 15, Alfaro was serving as the driver of a light medium tactical vehicle gun truck, which was escorting a convoy of third country nationals on the main U.S. supply route from Baghdad to Balad, Iraq.

Just after midnight, according to the award citation, "the convoy was ambushed by enemy forces with well aimed direct fire from four machine guns and numerous other small arms … the terrain was relatively flat with lots of brush blocking the view of the enemy positions."

She drove her vehicle into the line of enemy fire to protect the civilian drivers and allow her gunner the ability to return fire on the enemy. Her vehicle came under intense fire and was hit several times by the enemy's machine guns.

When Alfaro received word that the driver was wounded in the third country national's vehicle directly in front of hers, she instinctively grabbed a combat lifesaver bag and ran more than 50 yards through a hail of gunfire to reach him. Alfaro's truck crew, Sgt. Brandi Brenden and Spc. Stephen Vrabel, both of Eagle River, saw enemy bullets kicking up dust around her feet and tracer rounds streaking past her head as she ran.

Enemy fire was increasing, so she placed her body between the enemy and the civilian driver to shield him while she worked to assess his medical condition, which ended up being fatal.

Radio communication indicated that there was another wounded in the convoy, so Alfaro took one of the gun trucks to treat the second wounded civilian. Her actions in treating the second third country national saved the driver's life.

 "Spc. Alfaro's courage under fire is exceptional," said Capt. Joshua Shrader, of Juneau, commander of Bravo Company, 297th Support Battalion, Alaska Army National Guard. "She helps make this hostile environment a little safer through her actions and willingness to help protect everyone around her."

"The gallant actions of Spc. Alfaro's are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect marked distinction upon herself, the Multi-National Corps Iraq, the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense," stated her award citation.