Home > Inspiration

Former Maryland distance-runner and U.S. soldier receives Medal of Honor

Former University of Maryland distance runner Florent Groberg was awarded the highest military honour in the United States by President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

A former University of Maryland distance runner was awarded the highest military honour in the United States by President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

Florent Groberg, 32, received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in 2012 during the War in Afghanistan where the now-medically retired American officer was severely injured after tackling a suicide bomber.

Though three U.S. military personnel and one U.S. Foreign Service Officer were killed, Groberg’s actions saved the lives of many others by forcing the suicide bomber to prematurely detonate the device. The blast confused a second suicide bomber, who was hidden behind a nearby structure, to trigger his device early away from the populated area.

Groberg was sent six metres as a result of the explosion and suffered 50 per cent loss of his left calf muscle, a blown eardrum and a mild traumatic brain injury. He was the leader of the personal security detachment on the day of the incident in Afghanistan.

Groberg spent three years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and required 30 surgeries.

Groberg was born in France but became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001 before attending the University of Maryland between 2003 and 2006. Groberg competed as a long-distance runner with the Terrapins and was one of the team’s top distance athletes before entering the Army in 2008.

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget