ARLINGTON, Va. - A former medical researcher is set to become the Ohio National Guard's
first Silver Star recipient since the Korean War in a Saturday statehouse ceremony.
Gov. Ted Strickland is scheduled to present Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wanner's
medal to the 36-year-old medical sergeant with Company B, 2nd Battalion,
19th
Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Wanner is to receive the nation's third-highest medal for valor for his
actions on May 21, 2009, in Afghanistan; only the Distinguished Service
Cross
and the Congressional Medal of Honor are considered higher honors.
Wanner saved the life of a fellow Green Beret during a raid on a Taliban
compound.
After a teammate was shot and collapsed, Wanner used his own body to shield
the wounded Soldier from small arms fire, gave lifesaving medical aid and
coordinated suppressing fire until he could carry his comrade to safety, the
Ohio National Guard reported.
Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001 and
Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, at least 20 Guardmembers have earned the
Silver Star. One has earned the DSC.
A native of North Dakota, Wanner is a former researcher with the University
of Cincinnati College of Medicine who now works as a carpenter.