General to present Distinguished Service Cross to family of fallen Kiski soldier

Two generals and other current and retired soldiers are among the U.S. Army contingent in Pittsburgh today who will honor a Kiski Township man who died saving other soldiers’ lives.

The family of Staff Sgt. Stevon Booker, who was killed in Iraq 16 years ago today, is being presented the country’s second highest medal of valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, during a ceremony at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh.

Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, the deputy commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, is presenting the medal to Booker’s mother, Freddie Jackson, of Kiski Township, and his sister, Kim Talley-Armstead.

Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, also is participating, as is Booker’s former company commander, Col. Andrew Hilmes, the Army said.

Booker originally was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his valor but, two months ago, his award was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.

Booker was a 3rd Infantry Division tank commander under heavy fire near Baghdad when he relayed information that helped American forces destroy an enemy truck carrying an anti-aircraft gun. When a machine gun he was using malfunctioned, the 34-year-old Booker fired a rifle at the enemy until he was killed.