Sandpoint soldier decorated for valor

SANDPOINT — Despite being half a world away from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, one local soldier’s courage in the face of danger has earned him the state’s highest award for valor, the Idaho Cross.

On Nov. 1, 2008, Sandpoint resident and Idaho National Guard Sgt. Wayne Cridland, 42, was participating in a driver’s training convoy in Spirit Lake. Shortly after the unit stopped at a Conoco gas station, Cridland noticed a fiery explosion near one of the station’s gas pumps.

“While we were inside, we noticed some kids outside — high school aged kids — and one of them was filling a gas can (while holding) a lit cigarette,” Cridland said. “The gas can exploded and caught him on fire, caught the pumps and the awning on fire.”

Without regard for his own safety, Cridland grabbed a fire extinguisher from his vehicle and sprinted to the burning pump, while another member of the convoy went inside to shut off the pumps.

Because of the unit’s quick actions, the fire was extinguished before it could spread to the rest of the station. The teenager who started the fire suffered burns to his arm and face, but no other injuries were reported.

For his efforts, Cridland was awarded the Idaho Cross from Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter during a July 10 ceremony in Boise.

The award, which is the state’s highest honor for valor, was given to Cridland for his heroism and for preventing a “significant fire disaster,” according to the award citation.

Cridland was one of two soldiers from the 145th Brigade Support Battalion who were honored by Otter. Also honored was Sgt. Steven M. Braswell of Rathdrum, who received the Idaho Meritorious Service award.

Though he demonstrated great individual courage, Cridland was quick to praise the rest of his unit for preventing a catastrophe.

“I think teamwork is really what saved the day,” he said. “Everyone did what they were supposed to do and did it in calm manner without getting hysterical.”