Grundy native Jonathan Clifton was recognized recently with a Bronze Star with Valor for his heroic achievement in support of Operation Lancer Guard.
  "I don't know why everyone made a big thing out of it," he says, modestly.
  The specialist from the 1033rd Engineer Support Company, formerly the 276th Engineer Battalion B Company based in Cedar Bluff, says he didn't do anything any other soldier wouldn't have done.
  But, when Clifton was recommended for the medal, the story is one of a consistently supportive and trustworthy man, who contributed to the accomplishment of all of the platoon's assigned missions.
  Specifically, he was recognized for his service on November 12, 2005, when his platoon became involved in direct contact with anti-Iraqi forces. For two days, the platoon encountered several direct-action contacts with numerous anti-Iraq forces.
  During the fall of Fallujah, anti-Iraq forces began to overrun the Western half of the city, destroying most of the Iraqi Police Force's facilities and vehicles and capturing most of their body armor and weapons.
  The 276th Engineer Battalion's duty was to place obstacles on each of the five bridges spanning the Tigris River, which split the city in two.
  Clifton's platoon was assigned with the mission of securing and defending Bridge #3.
  "As nighttime fell, the enemy began to probe our position using indirect 60 mm mortar fire by dropping approximately 12 to 15 rounds on our position," the recommendation reads.
  During one attack, one of Clifton's fellow platoon members was wounded less than 200 feet away.
  After scanning the area and identifying the origin of enemy's mortar attacks, he engaged the target "with continued and accurate machine gun fire."
  The act of bravery was successful and mortar attacks ceased for the remainder of the night. But, that wasn't the end of the platoon's long night.
  The command humvee was fired on with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, which resulted in several near misses later that night.
  But, Clifton remained his constant vigil, responding to enemy attacks with immediate, effective and accurate action, according to the narrative given with the medal.
  "Despite intensive enemy small-arms fire, his selfless and courageous actions resulted in no further contact of that type from enemy insurgents along the western bank of the bridge," the recommendation reads.
  Two days later, on November 14, 2005, Clifton again proved instrumental in denying enemy insurgents access to a bridge site.
  That day, the command humvee again encountered the near-misses of rocket-propelled grenades.
  This time as he scanned the area for the enemy, his gunner's shield was struck with small-arms fire. His response was anything but fear, as he continued his search for the enemy location, the recommendation notes.
  His disregard for his personal safety resulted in the acquisition of an enemy mortar site, which was neutralized.
  "His quick thinking, sound judgment and ability to act under direct enemy hostile fire directly contributed to denying anti-Iraq forces' personnel access to Bridge #3 and #4," the recommendation continues. "His actions provided an inspiring and motivational atmosphere to the men of Third and Support Platoons."
  He returned to the United States in February 2005.
  Clifton and his wife of almost one year, Trish, currently reside on Slate Creek.
  His parents are the late Howard Clifton, who died in 1998, and Bonnie Stacy.
  After being brought up in Haysi, Clifton and his two brothers, Howard Ross and Joshua Shane Clifton, moved to Clifton Fork. There, he graduated from Twin Valley High School in 2002.
  After family circumstances brought him to Bristol, he joined the 1031st Engineer Company out of Gate City.
  Clifton is currently employed at the Buchanan County E-911 Center.

   Members of the Buchanan County School Board were recognized for their service to the citizens of Buchanan County, Tuesday as they were presented with certificates of appreciation, marking February as School Board Appreciation Month. They were, David Thornbury (South Grundy); Don Newberry (North Grundy); Rhonda McClanahan (Rocklick); Bill Crigger (Prater); Steve Hamro III(Garden); Willie Sullivan (Hurricane); and Clarence Brown (Knox). Superintendent Tommy P. Justus presented School Board Clerk Joyce Presley with a certificate of appreciation for Presley's hard work on behalf of the board in recognition of School Board Clerk Appreciation Week.