2 North Dakota Guard soldiers recognized for border rescue

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two North Dakota Army National Guard soldiers are being recognized for saving migrants from drowning at the southern border of the United States last month. Spc. Luis Alvarado, of Bismarck, and Spc. Gracin Clem, of Dickinson, were conducting surveillance for U.S. Customs and Border Protection on March 22, 2022. That’s when they observed five migrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River. The National Guard says the migrants were halfway across the river but struggled to stay above water due to strong currents and high winds. The two men were equipped with nylon rope lifelines and Clem swam a line out to help the people that were struggling. The soldiers rescued two people as the other three managed to get to safety.