Rensselaer County soldier to be featured tonight on CNN

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A Rensselaer County soldier who earned the Bronze Star for valor in Afghanistan is to be featured on CNN this evening.

First Sgt. James Meltz of Cropseyville earned the Bronze Star for valor in Afghanistan last year as a soldier with the New York Army National Guard. He is to be the subject of a “heroes” segment this evening on “CNN Tonight.” The segment is to be broadcast around 7:50 p.m.

Meltz earned the Bronze Star for valor for organizing successful defense when his company convoy was attacked in eastern Afghanistan May 25, 2008. His unit was ambushed by insurgent forces from high ground that ran parallel to the highway and an up-armored humvee was struck by an anti-tank rocket and set on fire. Meltz helped get everyone inside to safety, firing his machine gun as cover for their escape. Cover fire also came from other vehicles.

He also used an anti-tank rocket to destroy the enemy’s cover and forcing them into the open. After a three-hour battle, the enemy was destroyed and none of Meltz’s men were injured. The convoy was ambushed again the next day, with similar results.

Meltz is married with one child. He also works as a state trooper and belongs to the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team.

The CNN feature is to include video and digital photos taken in Afghanistan along with a sequence filmed recently at the Guilderland Range during state police training and at the National Guard state headquarters at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs.