OFFICER LAUDED AS LIFESAVER 8 YEARS LATER, SIMI MAN RECEIVES HEROISM MEDAL.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. - Nearly eight years after he saved a group of disabled residents from a burning hotel, retired Army National Guard Lt. Col. Martin B. Spann was presented Friday with The Soldiers Medal for heroism. The medal - which recognizes heroism outside enemy conflict, was presented by Rep. Elton Gallegly Elton W. Gallegly (born March 7 1944), an American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, currently representing the 24th District of California (map). , R-Thousand Oaks, during a ceremony at his office. Spann, who lives in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. but is a Los Angeles Police Department "LAPD" and "L.A.P.D." redirect here. For other uses, see LAPD (disambiguation).  This article or section is written like an . sergeant, is credited with saving several people from the
Martin Luther King Hotel in Los Angeles on Dec. 11, 1998. He suffered
burns and smoke inhalation Smoke Inhalation DefinitionSmoke inhalation is breathing in the harmful gases, vapors, and particulate matter contained in smoke. Description Smoke inhalation typically occurs in victims or firefighters caught in structural fires. in the rescue, which took place while he was off-duty from the LAPD's Newton Division. He was nominated for the medal shortly after the event but the paperwork was lost, and Gallegly recently renewed the push for the recognition. "It's long overdue," said Gallegly. "It's important that our heroes be recognized, and there are many who don't get the recognition they deserve. "It's awe-inspiring and very humbling,'' he said of Spann's actions and his recent military service in Iraq. ``We're indebted to you." Spann is currently stationed at the LAPD's training facility in Granada Hills. Gallegly also presented Spann with the Legion of Merit Legion of Merit n. Abbr. LM A U.S. military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. recognizing his 27-year military career, which includes five years' service in the Marine Corps and his service as a volunteer Army reserve officer in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. On his first day in Iraq, Spann was wounded by a rocket but continued to work there, getting involved in frequent combat with insurgents Insurgents, in U.S. history, the Republican Senators and Representatives who in 1909–10 rose against the Republican standpatters controlling Congress, to oppose the Payne-Aldrich tariff and the dictatorial power of House speaker Joseph G. Cannon. as he trained Iraqi police commandos. He received a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman Badge The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is an award of the United States Army which is presented to those officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers, in the grade of Colonel and below, who participate in active ground combat while assigned as a member of an infantry or special and a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. ``To me, it's a real privilege to serve my country,'' Spann said. ``It's very personal to me, a small way for me to repay what this country has done for me and my family. I consider this country to be the best there is.'' eric.leach(at)dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Rep. Elton Gallegly adjusts medals on Lt. Col. Martin B. Spann's uniform after awarding him The Soldiers Medal for heroism Friday for saving disabled residents from a burning structure Dec. 11, 1998. Below, Spann laughs with his wife, Alexa, outside Gallegly's office. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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