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Operation Just Cause Soldiers’ valorous actions recognized after 34 years
231208-A-JF826-1080.JPG Photo By: Spc. Joshua Taeckens

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Maj. Gen. William Thigpen, commander of U.S. Army South (left) presents retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Mackey (right) the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, at the Army South holiday ball in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 8, 2023. Mackey, former platoon leader assigned to the 108th Miltary Police Company, received the upgraded award for his heroic actions during Operation Just Cause in 1989. Then a second lieutenant, Mackey led two teams while clearing a five-story fortified building, overrunning enemy forces and forcing the abandonment of weapons, ammunition, and critical intelligence. While responding to the intelligence collected, Mackey surprised a heavily armed enemy armored vehicle and leaped from a moving High Mobility Wheeled Vehicle armed with only an M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon, leading the enemy to abandon the vehicle allowing Mackey and his team to capture it, intact. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Taeckens)


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