Sgt. Gregory Ruske speaks softly, preferring to let his actions speak for him.

While assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 101 operating in Afghanistan in April 2008, Ruske's actions in a remote area against Taliban forces earned him a Silver Star.

During an intense firefight in which he was wounded, Ruske laid down covering fire that allowed his soldiers to find cover and mount a counterattack. He also risked his life to rescue a seriously wounded Afghan National Police officer. Although he would not talk much about the incident, Ruske did say that his training is what made the difference.

"I simply reacted with the training the Army had provided me," Ruske said in a news article. "But it seems to me that I was smart enough to come up with a plan, stupid enough to try it and lucky enough to survive it.  It means I was doing my job."

Ruske also pointed out that Spc. Eric Seagraves helped him during the situation.

"I did not act alone; Spc. Seagraves is a soldier who will make a great NCO," commented Ruske.

In deflecting attention from himself, he models the behavior of a good NCO.

"Lead by example, and others will follow," he said.

A former active duty soldier who now serves with the 104th Training Division, Ruske joined the Army a decade ago to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

"I wanted to give back to the country which has given me so much, just as they did," said Ruske during a telephone interview.

A juvenile corrections officer in civilian life, Ruske believes the value of loyalty is vital in order to ensure the warrior ethos of NCOs and the soldiers they lead.

"People take a lot of things for granted, and I think there is something higher than ourselves," continued Ruske. "Loyalty to something other than one's self is vital."

He believes that good NCOs should know not only their jobs but also the jobs of the soldiers above them.

"Be ready to step up to the plate and lead by example," said Ruske.

His sense of duty combined with his actions in Afghanistan caught the eye of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, or JINSA.

A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonsectarian educational organization, JINSA explains the need for a coherent national security policy for the United States, specifically regarding its relationship to Israel.

Ruske received the institute's Grateful Nation Award for his service.

"I am humbled by the award," he said.

When asked what message he would impart to soldiers who aspire to serve as a NCO, Ruske said: "Listen to your NCOs; there is a method to their madness.  The training they provide you now will pay off. Learn as much as you can."