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‘It Felt Like A Blowtorch’: Here’s The Incredible Act Of Valor That Resulted In America’s Latest Medal Of Honor

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Jonah Bennett Contributor
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President Barack Obama has awarded Army Capt. Florent Groberg (Ret.) the Medal of Honor for tackling a suicide bomber in the middle of a deadly attack in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in 2012.

Groberg, born in France, received the medal at a White House ceremony Thursday for saving lives and going far beyond the call of duty in his efforts. He naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2001.

Back in 2012, Groberg was part of a security detail with five other soldiers to protect senior military leaders. As the detail approached a bridge, a pair of motorcycles sped towards them from the other side. The motorcyclists quickly ditched the bikes on command and ran away.

It turns out that the motorcycles were just a diversion, but Groberg managed to spot a man emerging from a building walking backwards. Groberg yelled at the man to stop, who then turned and walked directly to him. Groberg and Sgt. Andrew Mahoney sprinted his way and pushed the man away from the formation. Groberg and Mahoney shoved the man repeatedly to the ground.

Then the bomb detonated.

Groberg was tossed away like a rag doll and sustained serious nerve damage, a blown eardrum and the loss of 50 percent of his left calf muscle.

“That’s when all the pain came in. It felt like a blow torch was burning through my leg,” he said, according to CCN. “Aug. 8, 2012, was not a bad day; it was the worst day of my life.”

He spent the next three years in recovery at Walter Reed medical center. It took a total of 33 surgeries to keep his leg, which was important to him, given his history of running track at the University of Maryland.

Obama applauded Groberg for saving many lives.

“He had the instincts and the courage to do what was needed,” Obama said at the ceremony.

“He’s not running, but he’s doing a lot of Crossfit,” Obama added. “I would not challenge him to Crossfit. I think it’s fair to say he’s fit.”

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