A local man has received the American Legion Valor Award for his actions under attack in Afghanistan last fall.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Benson, who grew up in the Bellevue/Ross area, joined the Army in 1992, hoping to fulfill his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. Since 1996, he has been piloting Kiowa helicopters, small, armed aircraft that provide security for the larger Black Hawk Medevac helicopters, among other assignments.