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FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) -- A Fort Carson soldier has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for preventing a buddy's suicide in Iraq.

The Army says Spc. Albert Godding removed the firing pin from his buddy's rifle after noting he was feeling down because his wife was leaving him and he had several months left in his deployment.

The Army says the other soldier tried to kill himself with his rifle later that day, but it wouldn't fire without the pin.

Godding was presented the award at Fort Polk, La., where he was training with Fort Carson's 4th Brigade Combat Team to deploy to Afghanistan.

The Army says the buddy got counseling, and has been promoted to corporal and is engaged.

Godding and the other soldier were based at Fort Drum, N.Y., at the time.

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