A soldier with local ties recently was decorated by the U.S.’s commanding general in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Elizabeth Wiedeman received the Four Star Coin of Excellence from Gen. David Petraeus. Her husband, Brandon, said she received the recognition for extra work she exhibited as a convoy commander.

Wiedeman was deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2010 with the largest Iowa deployment ever — she is part of the Echo Company 334 B.S.B. 1/133rd US Army F.S.C. unit out of Waterloo, Iowa. She is stationed in Iraq until August of 2011. She also served overseas in Iraq for 2004-2005.

Wiedeman was one of 12 soldiers to receive the award.

She is the daughter of Mary and Richard Paterson of Lyle and Dean Attleson of Lansing. Gary and Lois Wiedeman of Adams are her in-laws.