Maryland Medal of Honor Recipient Named 'Outstanding American'

BETHESDA, MD — Maryland's adopted son, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Florent Groberg, will be recognized at a special naturalization ceremony in Washington, DC, on Nov. 21.

He will be named a Outstanding American by Choice, a recognition bestowed upon naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to their community and their adopted country – through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship.

Groberg, who was born in France, became a U.S. citizen in 2001, the year he graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. The Army officer, who is now medically retired, received the Medal of Honor from President Obama during a White House ceremony in November 2015. The medal is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon a military member.

“He had the instincts and courage to do what was needed,” Obama said of Groberg.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will hold a special naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Monday. In addition to welcoming candidates from 43 countries who will become America’s newest citizens, the agency will recognize Groberg as an Outstanding American by Choice.

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The retired officer who was seriously wounded in action insists he’s not a hero for jumping on a suicide bomber to get him away from a group of high-ranking Americans and Afghans headed to a meeting with the provincial governor.

He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and again in 2012. Groberg now lives in the National Capital Region and is a civilian employee of the Department of Defense.

Groberg spent nearly three years at Walter Reed Medical Center undergoing 33 surgeries and rehabilitation to keep his leg. While he lost nearly half the calf muscle in the leg from the bomb blast, he plans to run again as did while attending the University of Maryland.

Obama joked last year that while Groberg is not yet running, he is “putting the hurt on” the rehab center’s CrossFit routine.

“For all the valor we celebrate, all the courage we honor, these actions were required by some of the most dreadful moments of war,” the president said during the medal ceremony.

»Photo of Army Capt. Florent Groberg shown after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, from NBC Washington