US troops given medals for risky rescue of German soldiers

(13 May 2010) SHOTLIST
1. Various of German troops lined up and holding a set of German Gold Cross medals
2. US troops standing in line
3. ISAF chief of staff Lieutenant-General Bruno Kasdorf placing medal on soldier's chest
4. Close up of German medal
5. General Kasdorf placing medal on another soldier's chest while talking to him
6. Close up of hand removing sticker with US army written on it, and placing new sticker with medal
7. Mid of US soldier
8. Various of troops saluting
9. Wide of German troops in line
10. SOUNDBITE (German) Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf, International Security Assistance Force chief of staff:
"I wasn't the centre point of the medal ceremony that I presided over today, the focus of attention were the 14 American soldiers who, under tough circumstances, helped their German comrades who were caught up in heavy fighting."
11. Various of German tanks moving
12. SOUNDBITE: (German) Lieutenant General Bruno Kasdorf, International Security Assistance Force chief of staff:
"At the same time, it shows what it means to be part of a coalition (ISAF), how important it is that we complement each other. in this case, the Americans were in the position to help and they did so without hesitation."
13. US and German troops hugging each other
STORYLINE
Germany has recognised 14 US soldiers fighting in Afghanistan for risking their lives to help rescue German soldiers during a battle last month.
The chief of staff of the International Security Assistance Force, Germany's Lieutenant-General Bruno Kasdorf, presented the Gold Cross medals to the US troops at the German military base in Kunduz, in the north-east of Afghanistan.
The Americans were recognised for their bravery in airlifting German troops who had been wounded during a firefight with Taliban militants on Good Friday (2 April).
It was the first time non-Germans received a Gold Cross medal, one of the country's highest awards for valour.

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