CAPITOL HILL (July 14, 2010) -- Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army Chief of Staff, assisted by Rep. John Carter of Texas, and members of the Military Times staff presented the Military Times Soldier of the Year award July 14 to Staff Sgt. Zackary Filip, from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas. Filip, a medic, without regard to his own safety, rendered first aid to victims of the Nov. 5, 2009, Fort Hood shooting. Filip also demonstrated uncommon valor, on a number of occasions while serving in Afghanistan including Dec. 24, 2008 on a patrol that came under heavy attack. Filip moved from position to position, under fire, to treat and evacuate four wounded Afghan Soldiers for which he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device. Filip is shown here with (L to R) SMA Kenneth Preston, Mrs. Filip, Mrs. Sheila Casey, Rep. Carter and Gen. Casey.
