WASHINGTON -- A Hoosier soldier has been honored for his service in the war in Iraq.

Army Col. James Coffman Jr., of Lebanon, is a member of the Army's multinational security transition command in Iraq.

Wednesday, Coffman was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross during a ceremony in Baghdad.

It's the Army's second-highest award for valor and it's the first time it's been awarded in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Coffman received the medal for his actions while fighting against a heavy insurgent attack last November.

Coffman said part of his mission is to make sure Iraqi soldiers are able to fight on their own.

"They certainly have different training than Americans, but all soldiers are alike. They have the same kind of discipline, different cultural, some training, not the same as ours," Coffman said. "But these are still soldiers, and I treat them as soldiers."

The honor Coffman received is second only to the Medal of Honor in recognizing bravery in combat by an Army soldier.