PRESS RELEASE -- 21st CES NCO to receive Purple Heart Published June 16, 2011 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Staff Sgt. Mark Badger, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, is scheduled to receive a Purple Heart during a ceremony on Peterson AFB at 8:30 a.m. June 20. Sergeant Badger ultimately saved the life of a fellow EOD team member while conducting an operation near the village of Hendu Kalacheh in southern Afghanistan. Toward the end of the operation, an improvised explosive device was detonated, critically injuring the team lead and a fellow team member. Sergeant Badger, although injured himself in the blast, was first on scene to render first aid, applying tourniquets and stabilizing his EOD teammate. He assisted with life-saving procedures on his team lead, and helped with the medical evacuation of both men. He also secured critical equipment and weapons, as well as passed along crucial intelligence to the relieving EOD team. For his actions, Sergeant Badger has also received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. The EOD team was part of Combined Joint Task Force Paladin out of Kandahar Airfield. Media interested in attending the ceremony should RSVP to 21sw.pa@peterson.af.mil or call (719) 556-5185 by noon June 17.