Grand Forks Airman featured in Portraits of Courage Published Feb. 29, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Tech. Sgt. Clifford Monroe displays a certain quiet -- a distinct air of humility. He is quick to listen, slow to speak. To those who don't know him, it might appear as a sort of melancholy. But it was his combat experience in Afghanistan that helped mold who he is today and how he approaches life. Monroe, a structural technician with the 319th Civil Engineering Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, is one of only 18 Airmen across the Air Force featured in the most recent "Portraits in Courage." He spent his fourth deployment -- February through November of 2010 -- in Afghanistan, where he came under direct and indirect fire more than 35 times. On June 11, 2010, Monroe spotted an explosion out of the corner of his eye about 20 yards from his location, a blast that sent deadly shrapnel ripping through the air. "When the suicide bomber struck, everything turned into slow motion," he said. "Part of me couldn't believe what was happening and the other part of me was reacting, looking for anyone in trouble." The blast turned the scene into dust- and debris-filled chaos, separating him from fellow troops nearest the heart of the havoc. "There was nothing between me and them," said Monroe after an extended pause. A combination of training and adrenaline sent him scrambling into action as he pulled disoriented wingmen to the ground to take cover while calling on the radio in an attempt to make contact with soldiers lost by the blast. An Afghan Army truck pulled up and personnel attempted to revive two wounded U.S. soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Hoover and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Fike. But it was too late. "They couldn't find anything ... it was a rough day," said Monroe. "Before you had heard about the people getting killed, and you know that's the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "When you're the one picking them up off the ground and trying to get them back to base, trying to make sure everybody else is safe and that nothing else is going to happen - it makes it difficult. To see it happen and not be able to do anything for them ... it really hits it home. "It's no longer something you just read about -- it's something you're a part of," he said. "Stuff that you would normally take for granted you don't take for granted anymore. There's definitely a great appreciation for everything." Monroe was part of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul -- the first permanent PRT in the Shajoy District. He managed all contracting and administration aspects of community-building projects for more than 20 villages, including the construction of roads, schools, bridges and wells. His day-to-day work consisted of performing quality assessments and checks on projects to ensure they were getting done the right way and that the work was sufficient. The rest of his time was spent on "security and staying alive," while manning various weapons systems, including a .50 caliber machine gun. But it was his actions on July 31, 2010, that earned Monroe a spot in the Portraits of Courage. He was in a convoy leaving a meeting in the Lali Kalay village when insurgents opened fire. Monroe dismounted from his vehicle to bring the fight to the enemy, despite incoming rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 rounds. "We all went toward the fire and once we got out of the truck you didn't think about it, you just did it," he said. "By that point you were out and it was time to go." According to the Air Force, "Monroe and his team marked the insurgents' position for attacking OH-58D helicopters, which then provided suppressive fire." "I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be in these situations," Monroe said. "Everyone was looking out for everyone else, everyone was moving as a unit, and everyone was working together. That was the most team like experience I had ever been through." Monroe was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Combat Action Badge, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. The memories and experiences gained will stay with Monroe forever. "Even when I try to forget I can't," he said. "There are people I met and spent time with on that deployment I will never forget."