TALLINN, Jun 11, BNS – US Ambassador Stanley Davis Phillips today presented medals to Estonian soldiers for service in Iraq.
The ambassador handed Bronze Stars and Army Commendation Medals to Estonian military who served in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. The list of recipients contained 56 names four of whom were awarded Bronze Stars, spokespeople for the General Staff said.
The ambassador said it was a great honor to present the decorations to Estonian defense personnel and thank them for their service in Iraq. Estonian soldiers in Iraq are held in high regard and these decorations show US army leaders’ respect for their achievements, he said.
Chief of staff Col. Neeme Vali said Estonian troops earned the medals with hard service.
“The soldiers who have served and fought in Iraq, those who are returning home from there today and those who are about to go there, are directly defending Estonia’s security interests,” he observed.
Bronze Stars were presented to Maj. Eduard Nikkari, chief of the Tallinn company of the Kaitseliit (Defense League) voluntary corps, Maj. Artur Lillenurm, professor of the National Defense College, commander of the ESTPLA-13 infantry platoon Lt. Meelis Joemaa and Sgt. Maj. Rauno Koivistoinen from the same unit.
Army Commendation Medals were handed to members of ESTPLA-12, 13 and 14 and to staff officers who served in Iraq side by side with US military.
The Estonian defense forces have been participating in the US-led operation Iraqi Freedom since June 2003.
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