Capt. Florent Groberg Named 2023 Great American Patriot Award Recipient

FORT WORTH, Texas – Retired U.S. Army Capt. and Medal of Honor recipient Florent “Flo” Groberg is the 2023 Great American Patriot Award honoree. Presented annually by Armed Forces Insurance at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, the Great American Patriot Award honors a candidate in recognition of their exemplary service to the United States.

In 2015, Groberg received the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military honor, for his extraordinary gallantry, intrepidity and heroism while serving in combat operations during the War in Afghanistan. On Aug. 8, 2012, Groberg was responsible for protecting a group of 28 coalition and Afghan National Army personnel, including two brigade commanders, three battalion commanders, an Afghan general, two GS-15 State Department individuals and two majors with his element of six other soldiers. During the advance to a provincial governor’s compound, the patrol was attacked, and Groberg charged and tackled a suicide bomber, thereby distancing the attacker from his personnel. The bomb detonated, severely injuring Groberg, but his selfless actions prevented more deaths from the patrol.

As a result of his actions, Groberg sustained the loss of nearly 50 percent of his left calf muscle with significant nerve damage, a blown eardrum and a mild traumatic brain injury. He spent his recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from August 2012 through May 2015. He was medically retired from Company B Warriors, Warrior Transition Battalion, as a captain on July 23, 2015.

Groberg’s list of awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars; the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the U.S. Army Parachutists Badge, the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

“Armed Forces Insurance is proud to recognize Captain Groberg as the 2023 Great American Patriot Award recipient,” said Lt Gen Sid Clarke, US Air Force, Retired, Chairman, Armed Forces Insurance. “His heroism and service to the United States make him a most deserving honoree.”

In November of 2009, Groberg deployed to Afghanistan as part of Task Force Lethal, with responsibility for the Pech River Valley in Afghanistan's Kunar Province. Upon returning home in June 2010, he continued serving as a platoon leader until he was reassigned as an infantry company executive officer in October. Groberg was then assigned as the brigade personal security detachment commander for 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He deployed again to Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in February of 2012, with Task Force Mountain Warrior. He was promoted to captain in July 2012.

Groberg entered the Army in July 2008 and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He received his commission as an infantry officer in December of 2008. After completing Infantry Officer Basic Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, U.S. Army Airborne and U.S. Army Ranger Schools, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., as a platoon leader.

Groberg was born in 1983 in Poissy, France, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), where he competed in varsity track and cross country. In May 2006, Groberg graduated from UMD with a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice.

Groberg currently leads the Azure Global Mission Expansion Team at Microsoft. He previously led multidisciplinary teams at Boeing, LinkedIn and the Department of Defense, where he served as a special advisor for strategic defense projects, providing expertise to defense policymakers and military planners. He also has written an autobiography entitled Eight Seconds of Courage. Groberg is a member of the Wounded Warrior Project board of directors.

In addition to being honored with the 2023 Great American Patriot Award, Groberg also will serve as the keynote speaker at the Armed Forces Bowl kickoff luncheon. Sponsored by Omni Fort Worth Hotel and American Airlines, and attended by both teams, the luncheon will be held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel on Friday, Dec. 22 at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon tickets are on sale at ArmedForcesBowl.com.

Candidates for the Great American Patriot Award must be of high moral fiber and good character, having spent their lives and/or careers serving the common good of the United States. They must have gone beyond the call of duty to serve and protect this country, with proven dedication and loyalty in upholding the Constitution and the laws of the nation. Finally, the award winner must have worked tirelessly to make the U.S. a better and safer place for all its citizens.

Groberg joins a prestigious group of previous Great American Patriot Award recipients that includes General Mark Welsh, Admiral William McRaven, General Peter Pace, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, Medal of Honor Recipient Salvatore Giunta, General Norton A. Schwartz, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Team Rubicon, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Gary Sinise and Chris Cassidy among others. 

The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, played in honor of the Armed Forces of the United States, was the first collegiate football bowl game to host all three U.S. Military Academy football teams – Air Force (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2022), Army (2010, 2017, 2018, 2021) and Navy (2013, 2016). The bowl has featured the “armed forces” theme since 2006. Patriotic overtones recognizing all five branches of the service are prevalent throughout the game. 

The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. The 21st edition of the game is set for Saturday, Dec. 23, at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium and will be televised nationally on ABC. For additional information about the bowl, please visit ArmedForcesBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Armed Forces Insurance

Armed Forces Insurance was founded in 1887 by military leaders with a single mission: to protect the property of those who protect our nation. The company provides premium quality, competitively priced property and casualty insurance to military professionals throughout the United States and overseas. Armed Forces Insurance understands that its members have unique circumstances and insurance needs, enabling the company to offer a level of personalized service that's unequalled in the industry. For more information, visit the website at www.afi.org or call 1-800-495-8234, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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