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By Albert McKeon

NASHUA – When Army Spc. Eric Marro received his Combat Infantryman Badge yesterday, he was praised for the heroism he showed when a 30-truck convoy he was helping to protect as a gunner in an up-armored humvee came under fire.

On Feb. 7, 2005, Marro returned fire on the insurgents attacking the convoy, then performed CPR on those in the convoy who were injured, said Rep. Paul Hodes, as he praised the former Army specialist for his patriotism and valor.

"I just remember being scared and ducking," said Marro, downplaying his role in the skirmish. "Maybe they just ran out of bullets."

Marro, who is now 48, served in Iraq for about a year in 2004 and 2005 as part of the 172nd Mountain Infantry Unit stationed in Balad, just north of Baghdad. His unit provided convoy security along main supply routes during one of the most dangerous and bloody periods of the war, in one of the most dangerous and bloody regions in Iraq.

"Every mission in Iraq is a combat mission, no matter what they tell you," he said.

Marro said he signed up for service in Iraq because he was concerned that many of the soldiers being sent over didn't have combat experience. In the early 1980s, Marro had served in the Marines, including a stint in Lebanon during the civil war there.

He now teaches drafting at Alvirne High School in Hudson, and said he was happy to make the switch.

"There are a lot more happy endings with teaching kids," he said.

While Marro said he didn't think the United States went into Iraq for "all the best reasons," he said that wasn't on his mind when he was out in the field.

"My sense of mission was that there were nine guys that went out, and nine should come back," he said. "There's nothing more than that."

Most of Marro's unit received their service badge when they came back from Iraq, but because of a paperwork mix-up he didn't get his right away. But some of his superiors in the New Hampshire National Guard, Sgt. Steven Kinney and Maj. Ray Valas, helped him re-file to receive the award.

Marro said he still pays attention to the news coming out of Iraq, even though most Americans aren't paying as much attention to the conflict.

In an interview after giving Marro his award yesterday, Hodes said he supported President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' plan to redeploy troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.

Obama has said all combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by 2011, and Hodes said he supports a "responsible withdrawal" of troops, which includes leaving behind a residual force that would be responsible for training and other missions.

Hodes said he is now more concerned about Afghanistan where the mission is "difficult and more challenging." He said he is looking for the Obama administration to provide a clearly defined mission, with clearly defined benchmarks and an exit strategy for the forces there. He recently voted to approve a supplemental appropriation for the war in Afghanistan based on wanting to give the president time to meet those requirements.

In the meantime, Hodes said he understands Congress has a responsibility to help the soldiers returning from combat missions overseas, many of whom are struggling to return to their normal lives.