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President Iohannis signs decree for second lieutenant Stoica's posthumous decoration with Romania's Star
President Klaus Iohannis has signed on Saturday a decree for second lieutenant Madalin Stoica's posthumous decoration with Romania's Star National Order, in the rank of Knight.
"As a sign of gratitude and appreciation for the devotion and courage manifested under the colors of the national flag, for the spirit of sacrifice proved while conducting a combat mission in the theater of operations in Afghanistan, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis bestowed posthumously the "The Star of Romania" National Order in the rank of Knight, for soldiers with war insignias, to second lieutenant Stoica Vintila Madalin," the Presidential Administration informs.
The decoration was made at the proposal of Romania's National Defence Minister Mihai Fifor.
Madalin Stoica has passed away on Friday, while conducting a mission in the region of Kandahar, in Afghanistan. He was 41, married with a baby. He was on his first deployment to the theatres of war, employed by Romania's National Defence Ministry (MApN) since 2002.
In the same incident, Corporal Ionel Buzea and Private Ionel Toma were injured.
The soldiers were in a convoy of four MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) when a trap car came crushing into their vehicle.
The valor of Romania's servicemen in the NATO mission in Afghanistan continues to prove the highest commitment to defending freedom and democracy, US Ambassador in Bucharest Hans Klemm stated. The Ambassador sent a message of condolences to the family and friends of the Corporal Madalin Stoica, as well as to his brothers in arms.
"I was saddened to hear of the death of Corporal Madalin Stoica who was killed during an incident in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and of injuries to other two Romanian soldiers. I would like to extend my personal condolences and those of the United States to the family and friends of Corporal Madalin Stoica, as well as to his fellow soldiers. I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers," Ambassador Klemm said, according to a release of the US Embassy to Romania.
According to him, "the valor of Romania's soldiers in the NATO mission in Afghanistan continues to demonstrate the highest commitment to defending freedom and democracy."
The Attorney General's Office has informed it has opened a criminal file in connection with the incident in Afghanistan on Friday in which a Romanian soldier died and two others were injured.
"Following the notification of the Military Prosecutor's Office with the Prosecutor's Office with the Supreme Court of Justice by the Ministry of National Defence in connection with the incident on September 15 in Afghanistan, a criminal file was opened with the competent military prosecutor's office. The event occurred during a patrol mission with an armoured vehicle intentionally struck by another vehicle carrying an improvised explosive device."
Corporal Madalin Stoica was 41, married with a baby. He was on his first deployment to the theatres of war, employed by MApN since 2002.
In the same incident, Corporal Ionel Buzea and Private Ionel Toma were injured. They received medical care and were flown to a military hospital in Kandahar.
The soldiers were in a convoy of four MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) when a trap car came crushing into their vehicle.
The Ministry of National Defense has sent, on behalf of its entire staff, sincere condolences to the bereaved family.
Romania's Minister of National Defence Mihai Fifor signed an order for Madalin Stoica's posthumous promotion to the rank of Second Lieutenant and submitted to the President of Romania a proposal for Stoica's decoration with Romania's Star in the rank of Knight, for soldiers with war insignias.
On Monday, September 18, ceremonies for commemorating the fallen soldier will be organised at the military facilities of Romania.
In 2017, the Romanian Armed Forces participate in the NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan with over 620 troops, while some 300 more are deployed to operations under NATO / EU, UN, OSCE control in other regions. On foreign missions so far, 29 Romanian soldiers have lost their lives and more than 180 have been injured.
The security situation in Afghanistan remains unstable, with most incidents occurring in the eastern and southern provinces of Afghanistan. NATO forces securing the military bases and major centres of the country remain permanent targets for possible attacks by insurgents.