( CNN ) -- It 's not often that someone you know and consider a friend is awarded the Medal of Honor . I first met then-Staff Sgt . Clint Romesha in Colorado in 2010 . We had dinner with three of his fellow soldiers -- then-Sgt . 1st Class Jonathan Hill , Sgt . Tom Rasmussen and Sgt . Eric Harder . Over beer and Mexican food , they talked about their time in the Army and their experiences at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan . I was working on a book about the remote outpost in which they 'd served ; the four troops candidly and generously shared their thoughts with me . Romesha ( pronounced ROE-muh-shay ) was dark and sardonic . It was clear that he respected basic military values of selflessness , courage and efficiency , and had little tolerance for those who did not . It 's not surprising , because he comes from a military family . Both of his brothers joined the military after high school , following in the footsteps of their father , a Vietnam veteran , and their grandfather , who served during World War II . For the Romeshas , military service is a family tradition . At the dinner , Romesha talked about leaving the Army and spending more time with his wife , Tammy , and their three children . Within a year , he did exactly that . They all now live in Minot , North Dakota . Romesha works as a field safety specialist for an oil field construction firm 90 minutes away . Romesha is modest about the actions for which President Barack Obama will award him on February 11 with the nation 's highest honor for courage . Maybe you saw his modesty in our interview of him , which aired in an hourlong CNN special on Thursday , February 7 , at 10 p.m . ET . Maybe you saw the way he talks about that horrible day -- October 3 , 2009 -- when he and about 50 other American soldiers faced overwhelming Taliban forces numbering more than 300 . Even more terrifying than their numbers was their positional superiority : a 360 degree assault from the high ground . Combat Outpost Keating had been built at the bottom of three steep mountains , providing the enemy from day one with a tactical advantage . For all the glory bestowed on Romesha , he is still torn apart because of those he could n't save that night , those whom no one could have saved . The humility in the interview , his disappointment in not having been able to save every troop 's life , is haunting . Excerpt : `` The Outpost : An Untold Story of American Valor '' `` My granddaddy used to teach me , you know , 'When you tell someone you 're going to do something , you do it . You know , your actions is what makes you . ' And I know I 'm hard on myself , but you know it still hurts , '' Romesha told me . Eight U.S. troops were killed at Combat Outpost Keating , and the camp was overrun by the Taliban . But because of the valorous actions of troops like Clint Romesha -- and others , including Hill , Rasmussen , Harder , Sgt . Ty Carter , Lt. Andrew Bundermann and more -- ultimately , the United States was able to push the Taliban back and regain control of the camp . Romesha 's leadership was crucial , and his fellow troops say they wonder if they would have survived without his fierce determination . `` There are few people I would follow to hell and back , and Romesha is one of them , '' former Pvt . 1st Class Chris Jones told us . I interviewed more than 225 individuals for my book about the attack , `` The Outpost : An Untold Story of American Valor , '' which also details the history of the outpost . I met many brave troops along the way . Romesha , without question , stands out . He and I have spent hours talking about the battle ( and other matters too , since we became friends ) , and some of those conversations will be with me always . He 's a laconic guy , Romesha , the type you might see in a cowboy movie . Few words , strong deeds . The love and dedication he has for his troops , and the degree to which he 's moved when they return those emotions with performance in the line of duty , is almost palpable . `` To watch those guys say we 're short numbered but we 've got the stones , we 're gon na man up . This is what 's required of us . We 're gon na dig deep and we 're gon na man up , '' Romesha says . `` I mean , it 's amazing to watch that great sacrifice , losing out on sleep , long , hard days , running up and down the mountains with less guys than the unit before . We took pride in that , that we did more with less and that was our motto for a while . '' There are 79 living Medal of Honor recipients , according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society ; Romesha will be the 80th . I am proud to know him . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jake Tapper .
Jake Tapper : It 's not often that someone you consider a friend is awarded the Medal of Honor . Tapper : I'm glad to hear it, but what about your other friends? He says despite the glory , Romesha feels anguish at not being able to save more lives . Tapper : Romesha is modest , but his bravery is truly inspiring .