A Navy officer from Hawai'i Kai was presented the Bronze Star with Combat "V" device for his role in the capture of hundreds of insurgents and the seizure of explosives in Iraq.

Lt. Sean S. Kido, officer in charge of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, was presented the medal on July 2 by Rear Adm. Rick Wren, strike group commander, during a ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier at Pearl Harbor.

Kido, a 1997 graduate of 'Iolani School who was an all-star wrestler there, received the award for service as explosive ordnance disposal officer in charge of the Special Operations Task Force-West between April 6 and Oct. 1, 2007.

He led his 12-man detachment in 109 direct-action missions, 16 counter improvised explosive device operations and 33 reconnaissance missions.

According to the award citation, Kido's efforts contributed to the capture of 315 known or suspected insurgents, and the seizure and destruction of 198,000 rounds of enemy small arms and 2,600 pounds of ordnance.

Once, when his convoy was hit by two buried bombs which killed two men, Kido "calmly took charge of the situation, dismounted to sweep the area of other dangers, while coordinating an airborne over watch and casualty evacuation.

"His quick thinking and bravery ensured the rest of the force returned safely," stated the citation.

"I'm proud to have this award and be in the company of the very deserving recipients who have and do wear this award," Kido said in a news release. "We were just trying to do what we could to complete the mission, make the area safer and get everyone back home safely."

"It's a bittersweet honor," said Kido. "Looking back to my time in Iraq and knowing that we did a lot of good stuff; we took the right guys off the street, cut off their resources in obtaining materials for [improvised explosive devices] and made the area safer for everyone.

"We really helped turn the tide, especially in western Iraq," he said.

Kido was named to The Advertiser's Interscholastic League of Honolulu all-star wrestling team in 1997 for the 135-pound class.