And it is here that the American military organisation--or more accurately, the American combat leader--excels.

ECONOMIST: Reinventing warfare

As a combat engineer he was a natural leader, and he is survived by his wife and two daughters.

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Volunteering for the Army, he packed off to Vietnam in December 1967 at age 19 as a fire-team leader and was wounded in combat.

FORBES: After the Bubble

He said up to 5.5m homes and businesses in the UK were at risk of flooding but with the right amount of investment, the country could become a "market leader" in technologies to combat flooding and its effects.

BBC: Environment Agency calls for flood protection products

Harriet Harman, Labour's deputy leader, said the party's job was to help combat the country's problems rather than concern itself with "inner turmoil".

BBC: Mandelson warns PM of more plots

Staff Sergeant Romesha will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo Troop, 3d Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009.

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Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Section Leader with Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3rd, 2009.

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He's been a strong leader, with a record of outstanding support for our veterans and for our troops in combat.

CNN: Political drama unfolds as letter carriers fail to deliver