Ben Hernandez-Stern has been awarded the Bronze Star for his “exceptionally meritorious achievement” in the prosecution of terrorist suspects, while serving as the chief of prosecution for the Warrant Prosecution Task Force in Iraq last year, according to the Department of Defense.

While in Iraq, Ben supervised a number of special agents and attorneys who worked with Iraqi law enforcement and judicial authorities to prosecute alleged terrorists for committing acts of violence against Iraqi and American military forces and civilians. Ben personally supported a number of prosecutions and secured warrants on notable high value suspects. Ben also increased the intelligence sharing between Iraqi and U.S. officials and supported special operations efforts. The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States or against an opposing armed force.

Ben is currently a judge advocate (JAG Corps) with 129th Rescue Wing (California Air National Guard) based at Moffett Field. In his civilian capacity, he works as an attorney in the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.