A Helena Montana National Guard Soldier will be awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement this evening for his heroic actions while serving as a member of the 1-163rd Infantry Battalion deployed to Iraq from Dec. 15, 2005, through Oct. 30, 2006.

1st Sgt. Monte Herrin will be awarded the medal at 7 p.m. at the first formation of Company E 145th Forward Support Company, Womack Armory at Fort Harrison. The medal will be awarded to Herrin by 1-163rd Calvary Regiment Commander Lt. Col. Theodore Hull.

Herrin is receiving the award for the following, per the medal citation:

"1st Sgt. Herrin was the Battalion Maintenance NCO during the 1-163rd IN BN deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Sgt. Herrin led the Battalion Maintenance Platoon in maintaining an amazing 90-percent Operational Readiness rate in one of the highest operational tempo and the highest incidence of enemy activity in the entire 42nd Infantry Division. 1st Sgt. Herrin worked tirelessly, supervising shifts around the clock and in numerous recovery missions, to recover and repair combat vehicles damaged by enemy attacks. He came under enemy fire on many occasions while recovering vehicles damaged by enemy attack or suffering maintenance break-downs due to the extreme heat, or while deploying forward to support offensive operations in the enemy's area of sanctuary. Without his excellent leadership, dedication to duty and exceptionally valorous service, the 1-163rd Infantry Battalion would have been unable to perform the combat operations on a continuous basis that defined its success."

A lifelong resident of Helena and the son of a retired Montana National Guard Soldier, Herrin has been a member of the armed forces for 30 years. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1977 and then joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1981. He joined the Army National Guard in 1982.

"It has been a long time coming," said Hull. "The 1-163rd Infantry Battalion had the highest maintenance ratings in the division during our deployment, despite constant enemy contact because of soldiers like 1st Sgt. Herrin."

Herrin is employed as a wage-leader mechanic at the Montana National Guard Unit Training and Equipment Site at Fort Harrison.