Missoulian: Bitterroot Valley soldier earns 11 medals for meritorious service

Afghanistan War veteran and Victor native John Bear received 11 medals – including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart – on Tuesday, in recognition of his six years of service in the U.S. Army.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., presented the medals to Bear in the lobby of Missoula’s Florence Hotel building during a short ceremony.

Bear grew up Victor and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Butte in August 2005.