Lt. Bryan Boudreaux was serving as a manager at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Jan. 29, 2005, when insurgents fired a missile at the embassy.

Boudreaux threw himself over a soldier who had been knocked to the ground to protect him from the debris and smoke that began filling the room. Boudreaux then gave first aid to a major, saving his life and his arms from amputation. Afterward, Boudreaux re-entered the embassy, helping others to safety and performing first aid when necessary.

The blast killed two people and wounded seven others. During his deployment, Boudreaux expertly managed $18.6 billion that was appropriated by Congress to rebuild Iraq. For his service, Boudreaux received the Bronze Star Medal on Sept. 6, 2005.