Video: N.J. National Guard troops receive Humanitarian Service Medal for Sandy assistance
Nearly 80 New Jersey Army and Air Guard members yesterday received the Humanitarian Service Medal for their assistance in the Superstorm Sandy rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts, the New Jersey National Guard announced.
New Jersey National Guard troops rescued more than 7,000 residents and their pets in the days following Sandy’s landfall, remaining on duty following the storm by assisting civil authorities with security, transportation, logistics, and reconstructing efforts, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Young of the New Jersey National Guard Public Affairs office said.
The troops also delivered more than 10,000 meals and hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel.
Although the federal military award is typically reserved for personnel who are on active federal duty when mobilized for a humanitarian relief operation, the office of Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.) helped clear hurdles to present the awards to the troops who mobilized for a domestic emergency under orders issued by New Jersey, Young said.
In the coming weeks, an additional 2,200 New Jersey National Guard troops will receive the Humanitarian Service Medal.
If you’re on a mobile device, watch the video here.
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