A Memorial of the soldiers of the 21st Mountain Battalion killed in the theaters of operations was unveiled during a military ceremony to be held at the unit HQ in Predeal on Thursday, January 28, starting 11 a.m.; the US Ambassador will award the "Bronze Star' medals to Major (post mortem) Vasile Iuliu Unguras and Second Lieutenant (post mortem) Claudiu Chira during the ceremony.
The Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Oprea, the US Ambassador in Romania, Mark H. Gitenstein, the chief of General Staff, Admiral Gheorghe Marin, the relatives of the heroes and the personnel of the 21st Mountain Battalion will attend the military ceremony.

Second Lieutenant (post mortem) Claudiu Chira was killed on duty during a patrol mission on Qalat-Kabul route on February 26, 2009 when his armored vehicle passed over an improvised explosive device. The soldier was decorated with "Steaua Romaniei" National Order in rank of Knight for military personnel with signs of war.
Major (post mortem) Iuliu Vasile Unguras was killed on duty on April 7, 2009 during his patrol mission on Kandahar-Kabul highway. His armored vehicle passed over an improvised explosive device, which killed him and wounded other four soldiers. Iuliu Vasile Unguras was decorated with "Steaua Romaniei" National Order in rank of Knight with signs of war.

MoND Press Office