An American military of Romanian origin was named the best US Army soldier in Europe after a contest at Grafenwohr (Germany), Stars and Stripes reports.

Corporal Mihai Mocanu who is part of the 12th Batallion, 6th Regiment of infantry was named the best soldier of the US Army in Europe at the annual competition for soldiers and sub-officers organized by the European troops commandment in Germany (USAREUR).

Sergeant Travis Snook, part of the 7th Army won the competition for subofficers. The two received prizes on Friday in a special ceremony organized in Heidelberg, Germany.

The competition included field orientation, a 15 km march, night and day-time shootings and others.

Mocanu was born in Harlau, in Iasi and it was actively involved in the Romanian army forces. Presently, he is an infantry corporal in the American army while previously was the employee of the Ponds Security firm in the German town Hohenfels.

Stars and Stripes, a publication addressing American soldiers worldwide, affirms that the soldier was a martial arts champion in 1997. Mocanu says he hopes he would be able to attend the classes for the assault and air trainings.