From 1999 to 2005 Colón-López was a member of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron as a Special Tactics Element Leader . While a member of the 24th STS , from July 2002 to September 2004 , Colón-López was deployed four times to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan as part of a joint task force to several classified locations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan . While deployed he participated in a series of joint operations , including direct assaults and combat search and rescue missions . During this time he also protected future Afghanistan president , Hamid Karzai , and received his first Bronze Star Medal with valor for his actions under fire while supporting Karzai 's security detail . His second Bronze Star Medal was for his actions after his helicopter was shot down during a mission in Afghanistan . After the helicopter crash landed two Navy SEALs and Colón-López assaulted fortified enemy positions , killing five combatants and ensuring the safety of the remaining crew . He was selected to create and implement the unit 's compartmented Personnel Recovery Advance Force Operations team , which serviced the entire Joint Special Operations arena
valor
"V" device
Ramón Colón-López