Assistant Attaché, Herat, Afghanistan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
On September 13, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Attaché Karttunen awoke to a 5,000 pound vehicle borne improvised explosive device detonating at the front gates of the United States Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan. In response to this attack by Taliban insurgents, Karttunen immediately secured all entrances and safeguarded Consulate personnel who were unable to escape from their living quarters. Once Consulate personnel were secure, he returned to the main entrance and stood watch with Consulate security until U.S. and coalition military forces arrived to secure the grounds.