Lt. Brent Peterson, who returned home from Afghanistan in April, was awarded the Bronze Star medal on Friday, Aug. 6.

It was for: “Exceptionally meritorious service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, from March 23, 2009, to April 15, 2010.
“Lieutenant Peterson’s personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Lieutenant Peterson’s performance reflects great credit upon himself, task force Yukon, combined Joint Task Force-82 and the United States Central Command.”
Brent, Dowagiac’s 1999 salutatorian and the son of Jim and Kathy Peterson, and his wife, Sarah, who was Miss Dowagiac 1999, live in Coronado, Calif.
Sarah works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
The Petersons formerly lived in Jacksonville, Fla.