When most people think of the Bronze Star, they think of an award given to someone because of their deeds under fire. But in the case of then-Captain Dexter Brookins, United States Army, that isn't entirely true. Brookins was given this award for protecting his fellow soldiers, by operating a defensive umbrella to prevent things from going wrong.

From March to May of 2003, during the invasion of Iraq, Brookins was in command of a Patriot anti-missile battery in Camp Doha, Kuwait. This 85-man unit was responsible for protecting the base and the invasion point from Kuwait into Iraq from Iraqi missiles that were feared to contain chemical and biological warheads. Camp Doha housed both Army Forces Central Command-Kuwait and Coalition/Joint Task Force-Kuwait, effectively making it a major nerve center for US operations in Iraq and throughout the entire Middle East.

Prior to his deployment to Camp Doha, the base had previously come under attack from ballistic missiles, and after he left, it would again be attacked. But during Brookins' unceasing watch over the camp, he kept an attentive eye out for danger. The key to his success were the soldiers under his command.

Photo courtesy of US Army / Dept. of Defense