Meritorious Service Cross
- Awarded on: November 19, 2009
- Invested on: June 04, 2010
Rank: Sergeant
Sergeant Deriger was deployed to Afghanistan as an explosive ordinance disposal commander, from September 2008 to May 2009. While leading over 50 successful counter-improvised explosive device operations, he personally dismantled nearly every device and ensured the operations were conducted quickly and efficiently. He uncovered critical information on new insurgent tactics that led directly to adjustments in Task Force search techniques. Sergeant Deriger’s leadership, courage and selfless work ethic significantly reduced the threat of improvised explosive device attacks in his area of operations.
