Civil affairs soldier sees award for valor

FORT BRAGG — The Army is awarding its first Silver Star to an active duty Civil Affairs soldier.

Sgt. 1st Class Drew C. Kimmey of Warden, Wash., will receive the award during a ceremony Thursday. The medal is the third highest award for combat valor. The 31-year-old Kimmey fought off a Taliban ambush during in November 2007 in Afghanistan

The first mission of civil affairs soldiers is not combat. They are gun-carrying diplomats who can build ties with local residents, understand the complicated web of relationships in a foreign land and get projects such as clinics and schools built.

Kimmey is assigned to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)