Milt Yagel US Army 1SG (Ret)

Milt joined VCR in 2021 as a rider and has generously volunteered to return for the June VCR ride and program from Moab to Durango  as a Road Captain and mentor.

1SG (Ret.) Milt Yagel served over twenty years in the U.S. Army. He lives in upstate NY with his lovely wife Heidi and their two boys, Milton Alan and Mason Lee.  

Milt retired after serving our country at Fort Stewart, GA; Camp Carroll, Korea; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Knox, KY; and Fort Drum, NY. He was deployed to Kuwait in 1994 and Egypt in 1995. His last deployment was as a Platoon Sergeant to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom VI and VII (FEB 2006- FEB 2007).

During his last deployment, he served as a Recon Scout Platoon Sergeant. At which time he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Purple Heart (PH) for wounds, and the Combat Action Badge (CAB).

He was injured most significantly on September 11, 2006 when a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) hit his truck and detonated inside the cab of the vehicle. As a result, he retained shrapnel to his right neck, shoulder, and hip, initially. He worked numerous incidents, troop in contact, quick reaction details and medivacs. He lost three Soldiers and his Squadron Commander to a helicopter crash. The remaining five (including Milt) secured the site and recovered their brothers to include the six crewmen of the Chinook.

Throughout Milt's career he was awarded the BSM, Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) 2nd award, Purple Heart (PH), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) 5th award, Army Achievement Medal (AAM) 4th award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) 2nd award, Army Superiour Unit (ASU) 2nd award, Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) 6th award, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) 2nd award, South West Asia Service Medal (SWA) with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) wtih two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM), Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) 2nd award, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge (CAB), Driver and Mechanic Badge with driver wheeled vehicles. He was also awarded the prestigious Order of Saint George Bronze Medallion and three sets of silver spurs one pair of the coveted pair of gold spurs.

In 2008 he purchased a friends bike and trailer.  He was a member of the Legion Riders.  2012 he purchased 2011 Street Glide and in 2016 he joined the CVMA NY19-2. 

His life was changed and saved by his wife, sons, Jesus and certain Non-profits that he believes in so much that he gives back to assist his brethren veterans.  He has been doing this since 2014.