Justin Lampert has applied for a job in law enforcement, and now the Iraq war veteran has a few decent references - Gov. John Hoeven and the state National Guard commander, Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, who pinned a medal for valor on Lampert's chest.

Lampert, a 25-year-old Army National Guard staff sergeant, was decorated during a state Capitol ceremony on Friday for his role in subduing a gunman in a Las Vegas casino last July.

Steven Zegrean, 52, faces attempted murder charges for allegedly firing 16 bullets into a crowd at the New York New York casino, wounding four people. He is jailed in Las Vegas with bail set at $3 million. His trial is scheduled for June 23.

Lampert rushed and tackled Zegrean when he was attempting to reload his 9mm pistol, causing him to drop the gun, police said.

Lampert then put Zegrean in a choke hold, and three other men - David James, a Navy reservist from Jacksonville, Fla., and Robert and Paul Ura, agents for Florida's Department of Law Enforcement - came up to help subdue Zegrean, the police report says.

On Friday, the Crosby native and North Dakota State University student recounted the incident in front of an audience of about 50 relatives, friends, state officials and National Guard soldiers. His parents, Carol and Dennis Lampert, were among those looking on.

Lampert was in Las Vegas for a friend's bachelor party, and he and a buddy had just had something to eat when they heard popping noises.

"We didn't really know what it was," Lampert said. "We kind of thought it was maybe fireworks," because it was only two days after the Fourth of July. "It turned out it wasn't fireworks."

A crowd stampeded past, followed by the gunman. "He turned around and faced us, and we kind of locked eyes. And I really, at that point, didn't think I had much choice. I took after him," Lampert said.

Lampert said he tackled the man and put him in a choke hold, and Zegrean dropped his gun. "The whole time he was in the hold, he was reaching back to grab the gun," Lampert said. "I pretty much figured, if he gets hold of that gun, it's over."

James ran up and kicked the pistol away, and the Ura brothers arrived, Lampert said. "About 30 seconds later, the cops showed up," Lampert said. "Everything worked out really well."

Sprynczynatyk presented Lampert on Friday with the Soldier's Medal, which is awarded to members of the military who demonstrate heroism outside combat. It has been given to soldiers who risk their own lives to save others.

"Somebody with a handgun is firing off shots, clearly somebody that is deranged, in a crowded environment," Hoeven said. "(Lampert) steps up, risks his life, and he takes care of the situation, and he saves others. We talk about heroes. That's a hero."

Lampert joined the Guard in June 2000. He recently re-enlisted, and his obligation does not end until 2012. He is a staff sergeant, combat engineer and squad leader in the 818th Engineer Company, based in Williston.

He served in Iraq as part of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion from March 2004 until February 2005, clearing roadside bombs near Balad, north of Baghdad in northern Iraq.

He expects to graduate from NDSU in May with a degree in zoology and a minor in criminal justice. He said Friday he has applied for a position in a law enforcement drug task force.

The medal "might help me," Lampert said, smiling. "Who knows?"

Sprynczynatyk said Lampert had to be coaxed into talking about his actions.

"I don't like talking very much, especially in front of cameras," Lampert said. "And my friends have heard enough of it."