Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
KSL Newsradio's Mary Richards reportingAn Alpine soldier is being honored today in Baghdad for saving a fellow soldier's life. Specialist Cody Hencheid was traveling in an 18-wheeler when it was hit by an improvised explosive device and exploded.
He rescued another soldier, SPC Pace, who was pinned and wounded. Hencheid carried Pace to safety, then laid on top of him to protect him from further attacks until help arrived.
Hencheid says he had to stand waist deep in flames to rescue his wounded buddy, but he has no major burns. He says knows he was being watched over by angels.
He also pulled security while help attended to SPC Pace. SPC Hencheid, 19, has been recommended for Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal w/V device and Purple Heart. He is currently serving in Q-West, Iraq on his first deployment.