Fallen midstate Army Ranger posthumously receives Bronze Star

(Columbus, Ga.) -- Two soldiers killed in Afghanistan, including one from the midstate, are being honored for their valor.  

Six months after they were killed by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Sergeant Patrick C. Hawkins of Carlisle and Specialist Cody J. Patterson of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device. 

The honors were bestowed during a combat awards ceremony at Fort Benning in west Georgia. 

The 25-year-old Hawkins and 24-year-old Patterson of Philomath, Oregon were going to aid eight Rangers when they were killed October 5th. 

The soldiers, who were aware of other possible roadside bombs, entered the area to evacuate the wounded to a medevac helicopter on the ground.