DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa soldier has received the Silver Star medal, one of the nation’s top combat decorations, for his actions in Afghanistan.  Sgt. Ryan Steinkamp, who is 26 and from Johnston, was awarded the honor Aug. 28.   The Des Moines Register reports the award is recognition of his leadership in combat on April 17, 2012, when his squad was tasked with clearing insurgents from a village in Afghanistan. They fought against fortified enemy positions, cleared more than 50 compounds and managed to avoid civilian casualties.

The U.S. Department of Defense says only 127 Marines have been awarded the Silver Star for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001.   Steinkamp is scheduled to be discharged from the Marines in December.