MANCHESTER — New Hampshire Army National Guard Sgt. Raul Zubicaray spent his 45th birthday with family, friends and fellow soldiers, but his biggest gift came from Uncle Sam.

During a ceremony at the Manchester armory Sunday, Sgt. Zubicaray — who serves with B Company of the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion in the New Hampshire Army National Guard, received the Soldier’s Medal, one of the nation’s highest military awards for heroism. Brig. Gen. Peter Corey presented Zubicaray with the Soldier’s Medal for responding to the scene of a head-on collision in Iraq involving 16 people.

“I was hoping to get this in the mail,” said Zubicaray, of North Andover, Mass. “But it didn’t work out that way.”

On Nov. 11, 2011, while serving as a driver for a convoy logistics patrol, Zubicaray saw two vans collide on main supply route Tampa, a major north-south highway in Iraq. One van was carrying nine passengers, the other seven.

Zubicaray freed five victims from one of the vehicles after breaking a side window, according to information presented with the commendation. He performed triage on several others, and assisted medics until the scene was cleared. To help an injured child, he created a makeshift body splint out of a damaged car fender.

Corey praised Zubicaray for his life-saving actions and the compassion he showed at the scene.

“In my 31 years of service, I have never seen this medal awarded,” said Corey.

The Soldier’s Medal, established by Congress in 1926, is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguishes themselves by ‘heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy’, according to the award’s criteria. The award is similar to the Distinguished Flying Cross and the act of heroism must involve personal hazard or danger and voluntary risk of life.

Zubicaray’s platoon sergeant originally recommended him for an Army Commendation Medal. It was later upgraded by his brigade commander because Zubicaray’s actions “saved lives” and a vehicle fire and leaking gasoline put Zubicaray at “personal risk,” according to a release.

After the victims of the accident were transported to a nearby hospital, Zubicaray remained on scene to distribute bottled water from his convoy to civilians who aided in the rescue effort.

Zubicaray joined the New Hampshire Army Guard in 2007, and deployed with the 3643rd in 2010 in support of Operation New Dawn. He extended his tour in 2011 with Minnesota’s 1/34th Brigade Combat Team. He is married and has a daughter. He immigrated to the United States from Spain.

pfeely@unionleader.com