HE KNOWS (via Jim Yates):

Panhandle minister-soldier gets Bronze Star for service in Iraq (Tallahassee Democrat, 2/05/05)

A minister and civilian software engineer for the Navy who was recalled into the Army 10 years after retiring received a Bronze Star for service in Iraq during a ceremony Friday at his boyhood church.

What Lt. Col. Altrus "Ace" Campbell did as an intelligence officer to deserve the medal, however, is a secret known by only about 30 people, including President Bush, Campbell told The News Herald of Panama City.

The 44-year-old African Methodist Episcopal minister said there never was any conflict, though, between his military duties and his faith.

"You can be passionate about what you do and still be compassionate," said Campbell, whose wife, Rose, also is an ordained AME minister.

His citation says only that the medal was awarded for "exceptional meritorious service" while working as an intelligence planner and liaison to the Central Intelligence Agency.