Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: April 5, 2016
• Invested on: November 25, 2016

When former police superintendent David Hazelton was sent to Iraq, it was in the role of civilian advisor. Yet when he found himself in the middle of an attack, he fearlessly took charge. On the outskirts of Baghdad he, along with members of the Iraqi special police and the U.S. Marines, landed in an ambush of gun and rocket fire following a car bomb explosion. His quick decision making and calm leadership saved the lives of American and Iraqi personnel, and reduced civilian casualties.