One of Butler’s own received the first of a newly implemented medal presented Tuesday in Iraq by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

Carter presented the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Eckstein, a Butler High School graduate whose family lives in Butler.

“It felt truly amazing to be honored with this medal and having it pinned on by the Secretary of Defense left me speechless,” Eckstein said via Facebook messaging.

The medal was created March 30 through executive order by President Barack Obama, and it is awarded to military members fighting ISIS. The medal’s conditions include anyone who is serving or has served in Iraq, Syria or contiguous water or airspace on or after June 15, 2014.

Eckstein’s new medal, engraved upon bronze, features a scorpion impaled by a dagger, which is held by an armored hand. He said the occasion was a once in a lifetime experience.

“Being the first person to receive something like this is unforgettable and my life will be forever changed by the experience,” he said.

He also said he has his fellow veterans to thank for the opportunity, and he feels grateful that he is only the beginning of a long process of recognition.

“I may have been the first person to have pinned on this medal, but most certainly not the first person to have earned the right to wear it,” he said.

His brother, Jesse Eckstein of Butler said he was ecstatic about the news and is glad his brother is receiving recognition for his service.

“He’s pretty much devoted his life to the military,” he said. “I could not possibly be any more proud of him.”