Updated: 22 May, 2008

United States

• Military Awards Program - DoD Instruction 1348.33, August 26, 1985. Explains DoD policies and procedures on awarding Defense decorations and Service awards; non-military decorations; the acceptance of foreign military decorations by members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Also describes the various Defense awards; the basis and eligibility requirements for the award; and who is eligible to receive and who is eligible to authorize the award. It tells how to prepare, submit, and process recommendations for Defense decorations and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA).
  • Manual of Military Decorations and Awards - DoD 1348.33-M, 09/1996

• Cole attack Hero to be Honored (Major Jeff Davis, formerly of the 75th Airlift Squadron, Awarded Aerial Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal) (Oct 01)

• Dept. of Defense honors ATA employees For more than 20 years, Indianapolis-based ATA has transported troops and military supplies to staging areas around the world. "This is our way of giving back, helping in the situation," says flight attendant Cindy Crafton. As part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, ATA flew nearly 700 missions carrying about 7,000 troops for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is for those efforts that the Department of Defense honored more than 1,000 pilots, flight attendants and crew members. For those pilots, flight attendants and crew who flew seven missions or more the Department of Defense awarded them the Aerial Achievement Award Medal. wthr.com 13 Dec 05

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal  Public Law 108-234, signed into law on May 28, 2004, authorized separate campaign medals for members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Enduring Freedom and to members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some interpret this law to mean there will be separate campaign medals for the Afghanistan Campaign and for the Iraqi Campaign. We will report updates as they become available. Eligibility: Subject to limitations as prescribed by the President and by the Secretaries of the military departments and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Design of the medal and design approval will probably take a year or more. Image courtesy of Ed Emering Nov 04

• Separate medals for Afghan and Iraq campaigns President George W. Bush ordered separate medals to be issued to honor US soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism medal previously accorded to troops involved in both campaigns. In an executive order signed this week, Bush declared that "the Afghanistan Campaign Medal shall be awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or have served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined by such regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense." He also created a separate Iraq Campaign Medal for troops serving in Iraq or in its adjoining waters or air space on or after March 19, 2003. Bush declared that troops are eligible only to receive either an Iraq or Afghanistan campaign medal or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. "No member shall be entitled to the award of more than one of these three medals for the same period of service," the executive order stipulated. However, soldiers who have already qualified for the war on terrorism medal will remain eligible for that honor, it noted. The Iraq and Afghanistan medals may also be awarded posthumously, according to the November 29 decree. timesofindia.inidatimes.com 01 Dec 04

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) - Pesident Bush signed the Executive Order authorizing this new medal. The final design has been approved and the US Army Institute of Heraldry is working with the appropriate contractors to produce the ribbons and planchets. It is anticipated that the medal will be available for issue by May/June 2005. iraqwarveterans.org Feb 05

• New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service The Defense Department announced the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal for military members who directly support Operation Enduring Freedom between Oct. 24, 2001, and a date to be determined in the future or Operation Iraqi Freedom between March 19, 2003, and some future date.  DoD Announces Criteria for Two New Campaign Medals

• Air Force officials have authorized Airmen to wear the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal The Department of Defense campaign medals apply to active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen deployed on or after Oct. 24, 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom and March 19, 2003, for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Airmen must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in Afghanistan or Iraq for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days to be eligible. The ACM is awarded for service for all land areas within and all airspaces above Afghanistan. The ICM is for service covering all land areas within Iraq, all adjoining water areas out to 12 nautical miles and all airspaces above those areas. Airmen are not entitled to more than one campaign and/or expeditionary medal for the same action, achievement or period of service. There are also no devices for either campaign medals or the Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal. A period of service is defined as an area of deployment and includes the number of days criteria outlined above. Airmen begin a second period of service when they forward deploy or return to home station and then deploy later. Airmen deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, who have 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days between the eligibility period and April 30, may elect to wear either the appropriate campaign medal or the GWOT-E medal, but not both. Those who deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, who have 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days after April 30 can only earn the respective campaign medal for the area they served in. Air Force Personnel Center officials here will do a mass system update in August to convert GWOT-E medals to campaign medals for Airmen who are eligible. Airmen who do not want the GWOT-E medal converted need to notify their commander's support staff or military personnel flight, officials said. The campaign medal for Afghanistan shall be positioned below the one for Kosovo and above the medal for Iraq. i-newswire.com 27 Jun 05

• Stars not authorized for OIF, OEF medals During recent visits to stateside installations, two top Marine leaders repeatedly fielded questions about whether or not star devices are authorized for wear on Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals to mark multiple tours, Marine officials said recently. Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, are encouraging leaders to clarify the issue among Marines. Marine Administrative Messages 172/05 and 173/05 address the wear of the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal respectively. Both messages state stars are not authorized for either medal. Marine Administrative Message 172/05 for the Iraq Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003. Iraq's area of eligibility encompasses all land and airspace within the country to include a contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medal, with few exceptions. MARADMIN 173/05 for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom since Oct. 24, 2001. Afghanistan's area of eligibility encompasses all land area and airspace within the country. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medals, with few exceptions as well. "Marines want to be recognized for how many times they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan," Mastriano said. "Currently, there is no provision that denotes subsequential tours to Iraq and Afghanistan." For service stars to be a part of the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for Marines, the Headquarters Marine Corps Military Awards Branch must approve the change, he said. okinawa.usmc.mil 19 Jan 07

 Air Force Achievement Medal

• Patrolmen lauded for life-saving response A base Airman is alive today thanks to four patrolmen with the 366th Security Forces Squadron. This month, the 366th Fighter Wing showed its gratitude by selecting Tech. Sgt. Rich Richardson, Tech. Sgt. Galen Dickerson, Staff Sgt. Tom French and Senior Airman Renee Hvizdak to receive Air Force Achievement Medals. Sergeant Dickerson and his fellow patrolmen paused to reflect on what happened the afternoon of Oct. 26. According to police reports, the Airman left his work center saying he was going to lunch. Instead, he headed for a park in a secluded area in the base housing area where he deliberately hurt himself. acc.af.mil 30 Nov 06
• Airman earns medal for lifesaving efforts An Airman here was presented the Air Force Achievement Medal recently for saving the life of a 7-year-old boy who was choking on candy. Airman 1st Class Kyle Thomas was bowling while on leave in Norman, Okla., after competing six weeks of basic training and six months of technical training when he heard a man call for help.  He picked Nick Cardenes up under his arms and began administering the Heimlich maneuver. He said after four compressions the candy fell from the child's mouth. af.mil 1 Mar 07

Air Force Campaign Medal

• Air Force Campaign Medal - Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) Creates New Medal, Awards - 3 July 2002 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force’s top civilian leader recently authorized the creation of a new medal and two new awards to recognize outstanding achievement or service in wartime operations. The Air Force Campaign Medal will recognize significant direct contributions to wartime operations, according to Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche. “The awarding of campaign medals to specially recognize people and units who fight our wars is a long-standing military tradition,” Roche said. “Historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations,” he said. “In light of the expeditionary aerospace force environment and the transformation in the way the Air Force carries out its missions today, such criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.” Therefore, in accordance with DOD policy, Roche authorized the creation of a medal to be given to Air Force people who are not eligible for a DOD campaign medal but directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations. The secretary said he also wants to ensure units are properly recognized for their actions in support of wartime efforts and has established two new Air Force unit awards. The first award, the Gallant Unit Citation (GUC), will recognize units for their significant combat heroism below that currently required for the Presidential Unit Citation. The second, the Meritorious Unit Award, will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. The specific design and criteria for the new medal and awards are currently being reviewed, and a final decision on what they will look like and who is authorized to wear them will be reached in the next few months, Roche said. (Ref: Mike Smith)

• Air Force Campaign Medal
  • Recognition will go to airmen outside of combat operations - Arlington, Va. — Air Force personnel fighting the war on terror may soon have another ribbon to wear, even if their duties have kept them far from Afghanistan. Air Force Secretary James Roche has authorized the Air Force to create the Air Force Campaign Medal and two unit citations, the Gallant Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Award. Air Force officials are reviewing the new ribbons and expect to make a decision in the next few months on the design and who is authorized to wear them. Individual military services traditionally bestow campaign medals to people or units who have distinguished themselves in battle. However, “historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations.” “That criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.”  Thus, the Air Force Campaign Medal will be given to airmen who are not eligible for a Defense Department campaign medal, “but who have nonetheless directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations,” Roche said. Roche also authorized the Gallant Unit Citation, which will recognize units for significant combat heroism at a level below that required for the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Meritorious Unit Award, which will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. None of the new citations will have any point value for promotions. Asked Monday whether the other services intend to authorize similar “out of area” citations or medals for their own personnel, spokesmen for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps said they were unaware of such plans. The Defense Department already has one all encompassing “war on terrorism” award, the National Defense Service medal, authorized in May. The NDS has traditionally been bestowed on all active duty U.S. personnel during wartime, beginning with the Korean War. Every full-time service member on duty since Sept. 11, 2001, is eligible for the current NDS, regardless of where they have serve or in what capacity. Mobilized members of the reserve forces are also eligible. (Ref: Stars and Stripes- Lisa Burgess) (9 Jul 02)

Air Force Air and Space Campaign Medal

• US Air Force Air and Space Campaign Medal - This medal, authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 24 Apr 2002, may be awarded to members of the United States Air Force who, after 24 March 1999, participated in or directly supported a significant U.S. military operation designated by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The medal is awarded only to personnel who provided direct support of combat operations from outside a geographic area determined by the Joint Chief of Staff. Service members must be assigned or attached to a unit engaged in the operation. Personnel must be engaged in direct support for at least 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days. For this medal, direct support is defined as: 1) deploying in support of an operation, or 2) if at home station, performing functions or missions that historically were deployed forward, or entirely new and future missions, which due to technological advances, are no longer constrained by geographic location. This includes, but is not limited to, sortie generation, intelligence, surveillance, targeting, computer network attack operations, etc. No individual shall be eligible for both the ASCM and a DoD campaign/service medal awarded during a single tour in the designated operation. Participants are limited to only one ASCM for assignment to a designated operation. A second award of the ASCM is only authorized to individuals for nonconsecutive and nonconcurrent assignments to separate operations, provided the participants meet the criteria for each. For each succeeding operation that justifies award of the ASCM, a service star is worn on the ribbon/medal. Multiple award of the ASCM for assignments or rotations to the same operation is not authorized. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force designates the military operations that qualify for the ASCM. The Commander Air Force Forces will designate those organizations that provided direct qualifying support. (Ref: Mike Smith - Apr 03)

• Hill employee receives Medal of Valor Jimmy Snyder was awarded the Air Force’s Civilian Medal of Valor by Ogden Air Logistics Center commander Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan earlier this month for his actions which prolonged the life of another Hill employee in July. hilltoptimes.com 15 Dec 05

• Tinker civilian lauded for valor A Tinker Air Force Base civilian was lauded for his heroism Jan. 9 during a 72nd Mission Support Group commander's call. Johnnie Pickett, a materials examiner and identifier with the 72nd Services Division's Recycling Department, was presented with the U.S. Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor after rescuing a 3-year-old girl from a burning car last summer. The ceremony marked the first time the civilian award, equivalent to the military Airman's Medal, has been presented at Tinker. blackanthem.com 1 Feb 06

Air Force Combat Action Medal

• Combat medal available for airmen in April A combat-recognition medal for airmen should be available in April, according to the Air Force’s top personnel officer. Officials have agreed on the award’s design and the criteria for receiving it, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, told Air Force Times on Friday. Brady said the medal “speaks to our heritage in an elegant way,” and added that airmen would be eligible to receive it for combat exploits both in the air and on the ground. “Combat, historically in the Air Force, has been viewed ... as the purview of ... aviators. That’s changed,” Brady said. “It’s changed with the nature of the enemy and changed with some of the missions we’ve been asked to take on.” Likely candidates for the award, which will be retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, include those airmen who perform missions alongside the Army and Marine Corps — or in lieu of those troops, Brady said. That includes convoy escorts, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and members of provincial reconstruction teams, among others. These airmen have been in the line of fire, sometimes “nose to nose” with the enemy, he said. The combat-action award will be available to airmen through the rank of colonel, Brady said. No current general officers will be eligible for it. Moreover, the award will have no bearing on an airmen’s promotion, he said. In December, more than 20 airmen met at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to hash out criteria for the award, Brady said. “We had people [there] who had been there, done that and had the T-shirt,” he said, alluding to the combat veterans in on the discussions. And while some opposed the idea of a combat-recognition medal, most supported it, Brady said. They looked in detail at the criteria for combat-action awards issued by the sister services. Although those medals and ribbons have been awarded historically to troops who have come under and returned fire, the individual branches have tweaked their criteria somewhat. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the enemy has fired on troops using improvised explosives — meaning the attacker may not be present. “We don’t have to be exactly like the other services,” Brady said, “but it should be consistent with the other services.” As with the other combat action awards, returning fire is not a prerequisite for receiving the Air Force award, he said, but an airman must come under enemy fire as part of performing his duties. It’s not for airmen in the wrong place at the wrong time. For that reason, even though the award eligibility will date back to 9/11, airmen at the Pentagon when it was attacked will not qualify.  “There are other awards … to handle people who are unfortunately in the way of hostile action,” Brady said. Airmen will apply for the medal by filling out a form and providing a witness’ statement. The Central Command Air Forces commander, currently Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, will serve as command authority. “This is not an ‘I-was-a-hero award,’ ” Brady said. “[Airmen] are heroes, yes, because they’re doing the nation’s business, and they’re getting shot at. “But [this is] an ‘I-was-there-in-combat award and I performed honorably.’ It doesn’t necessarily mean … valiantly or heroically, but we ought to recognize it.” airforcetimes.com 28 Jan 07

• Air Force releases combat action medal criteria Air Force officials at the Air Force Personnel Center released criteria this week for award of the new combat action medal, an award for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley authorized the medal's creation March 15. Any Airman who believes he or she may be eligible can now submit an award package for consideration. The first approval of the Air Force Combat Action Medal is expected with in the next few weeks, according to John Balducci, the chief of Air Force recognition programs. Airmen are eligible for the combat action medal "if their primary role includes performing duties in a combat zone, either on the ground or from the air, by entering into an unsecured area away from an established installation," Mr. Balducci said. "While performing their duties, they must have come under fire or fire upon an enemy to qualify." A combat zone is defined as a geographic area for which an Airman receives imminent danger/hostile fire pay. In addition, while encampments, compounds and protected areas aren't normally qualifying locations for the AFCAM, Airmen augmenting a defensive fighting position could be eligible should they meet the award criteria, Mr. Balducci said. Aircrew members must be flying in direct support of a combat zone and in combat. They also must be performing official duties and not manifested as a passenger. While performing close air support, taking fire from an enemy is not a prerequisite as long as the Airman is at "great risk," Mr. Balducci said. "For Airmen still on active duty who believe they may be eligible for the medal, their submission must include a narrative explanation of circumstances on an Air Force Form 3994 describing the event, to include date, time, location and incident details, as well as witness statements," Mr. Balducci said. "That package should be submitted to the first 0-6 (colonel) in their operational chain of command, who will submit it to the commander of Air Force forces." Award eligibility is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, through a date to be determined and is available across the total force. Personnel no longer on active duty can submit packages to the Board for Correction of Military Records. This will apply to posthumous awards as well, he said. The medal does come with some restrictions. For example, only one can be awarded during a qualifying period, and for now, operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom count as one eligible time frame. In addition, there are no promotion points for the AFCAM. However, events that garner the combat action medal also can be referenced for other decorations, Mr. Balducci said. The AFCAM is worn between the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation.  The medal is designed to evoke Air Force heritage, scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes - adapted from the art insignia on the aircraft of Gen. Billy Mitchell, who coordinated the first air-to-ground offensive in history. Further, the AFCAM features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, the arrows reflecting preparedness for war while the olive branch represents a goal of peace, according to official Air Force wear guidance. af.mil 9 Apr 07

• United States - Updated illustration of Combat Action Medal released Just when you thought the Combat Action Medal was a done deal, the Air Force has changed direction — so to speak.  Don’t worry. The medal is still in production, and the service still expects to award the first one within a few weeks, but officials at the Pentagon have released an updated illustration of it. At first glance the revision may look just like the image that’s been in circulation since February: same red-and-gold ribbon, same imposing eagle. The bird’s perch, however, has changed. Rather than “looking forward to peace,” as the medal’s early concept signified with its placement of an olive branch under the eagle’s gaze, the bird now faces a bundle of arrows, symbolizing “preparedness for war and protecting the homeland,” officials say. This change makes the medal consistent with its inspiration, an insignia that decorated the plane flown by iconic World War I aviator Billy Mitchell. On his plane, the eagle faced arrows to represent lethality. airforcetimes.com 24 Apr 07

• 6 airmen to get Combat Action Medal- The Air Force will present six airmen with the service’s first Combat Action Medals during a ceremony  at the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. The six, who will receive the medal from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, are:

  * Maj. Steven A. Raspet of New Braunfels, Texas, an A-10 pilot currently assigned to the 559th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas;

  * Capt Allison K. Black of North Point, N.Y., an AC-130H gunship navigator with the 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.;

  * Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez of Bridgeport, Conn., with the Air Force Pararescue/Combat Rescue Officer School, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.;

  * Master Sgt. Byron P. Allen of Birmingham, Ala., MH-53 aerial gunner with the 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.;

  * Master Sgt. Charlie Peterson of Detroit, Mich., and Ashland, Miss., a vehicle operator with 927th Logistical Readiness Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.;

  * Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Paxton of Abingdon, Va., an aeromedical evacuation technician with the Air Force Aerospace Medical Center, Brooks City Base, Texas.

  Also slated to attend the ceremony are relatives of legendary airman Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, whose World War I aircraft — specifically a personal symbol from the plane — was the inspiration for the new medal’s design. airforcetimes.com 10 Jun 07

• Modernizing an old design a challenge for medal makers The designer of the Air Force Combat Action Medal said it was a challenge giving the medal a World War I feel but at the same time modernizing it. Graphic designer Susan Gamble used artwork from photos of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's aircraft to inspire the design of the medal, which was presented for the first time to six Airmen during a ceremony here June 12.  General Mitchell was one of the military's earliest advocates of air power. The medal was created to recognize Airmen engaged in air or ground combat "outside the wire" in a combat zone. This includes members who are under direct and hostile fire or who personally engaged hostile forces with direct and lethal force. Mrs. Gamble, a professional artist and master designer for the U.S. Mint, designed the medal in conjunction with the Army Institute of Heraldry in Washington D.C. Normally a coin designer, Mrs. Gamble, wife of Air Force Col. Mike Gamble, had to overcome many challenges while creating the concept for the medal. She wanted to keep a World War I feel to the medal, while also updating the design. "World War I art has a different style," Mrs. Gamble said. "There are more points and fewer curves, kind of like art deco," she said. "The medals back then were made with a pewter finish, not bright and shiny." After Mrs. Gamble designed three prototypes, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final selection.  He also selected a ribbon made with diagonal stripes. "The diagonal stripe is a contemporary look," Mrs. Gamble pointed out. "The ribbon is what brings the medal into the 21st Century." The diagonal stripe is so rare the heraldry institute officials had difficulty finding a ribbon-making company that could loom the ribbon.  They finally found one in Pennsylvania. "My initial feedback on the medal has been very positive," Mrs. Gamble said. "The diagonal stripe got a lot of attention. Everyone I've shown the medal to has said it has a World War I feel to it, which I'm thrilled about because I thought I would be the only one who could see it. It's old fashioned, yet modern." Charles Mugno, the Institute of Heraldry director, said the medal is very unique. "I think it's one of the greatest medals we've ever designed," Mr. Mugno said. "It's very bold." He said the institute will start mass producing the medal in about three weeks. presszom.com 12 Jun 07
• Airmen receive medals for heroism in face of danger Three Air Force Combat Action Medals and one Airman's Medal was awarded to Eglin Airmen during a ceremony at Nomad Hall Nov. 20 here.  Master Sgt. Noel Murphy, Staff Sgt. Ryan Otero and Senior Airman Aaron Jones, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight, all received the combat action medal for their actions in separate events. Sergeant Murphy was also awarded an Airman's Medal for risking his life to save others when a helicopter plunged into a lake in Iraq while attempting an emergency landing.
  Sgt. Murphy
  Sergeant Murphy was assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Nov. 5, 2004, when a vehicle in front of his was struck by an improvised explosive device. His team quickly assessed the situation, and then proceeded to disarm the original IED they were responding to. Their convoy was hit twice more by small arms fire while returning to base. No one was hurt during these attacks.
  Sgt. Otero
  Sergeant Otero was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat, 82nd Airborne Division, when his team came under sniper fire from anti-Iraqi forces Feb. 2, 2007, while responding to an IED call near the Jabouri Peninsula. During a break in the firefight, Sergeant Otero loaded the robotics into the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle and established an over watch position in the turret.
  Sr. Airman Jones
  While supporting a U.S. Army cavalry unit in Iraq, Airman Jones and his team were struck by an IED. After conducting a blast assessment, the team moved on to their original objective. Before reaching their target, they were struck twice more by IEDs, which disabled their joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle and knocked Airman Jones unconscious. The EOD team engaged in sporadic small arms fire for more than 12 hours until relief could arrive. Eventually, the team returned to base to treat injuries.
  Sgt Murphy
  Sergeant Murphy was also awarded the Airman's Medal for his actions at Haditha Dam Dec. 3, 2006 after a Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter tried to make an emergency landing. Sixteen people in full combat gear were plunged into the cold, 300-foot deep waters of Lake Quadisiya, the dammed up portion of the Euphrates River. Seeing what happened, Sergeant Murphy ran across the helicopter pad narrowly missing the blades from another chopper that was on approach for landing. He scaled the dam to reach the banks below and dove in head-first to start extracting drowning victims.
  The first person he came to was fighting to stay above the water nearly 40 meters from the shore. The individual nearly took Sergeant Murphy under the frigid water with him as they struggled to reach safety. Ignoring his body's cries to stop and warm up, he kept swimming. Repeatedly, Sergeant Murphy dove into the water to help rescue the passengers of the downed helicopter. Despite the frigid water's effects, Sergeant Murphy pressed on because "there were people that needed help." With the help of bystanders, a daisy chain was assembled to help rescue as many people as possible. In the end, 12 of the 16 passengers were rescued. Only eight Airman's Medals have been awarded in 2007. community.emeraldcoast.com 23 Nov 07

Air Force Commendation Medal

• Senator replaces stolen medal Charles Davis was 20 years old when he received a Commendation Medal in 1970, honored by the Air Force for coming up with a good idea -- service "above and beyond the call of duty" that helped to save some American lives. "There was something called a brake shoot on the airplanes," said Davis, who repaired bullet holes in aircraft sheet metal in Phang Rang, Vietnam. "They were messing up and causing some of the planes to crash. I came up with an idea to fix that." Made out of bronze, Davis' Medal of Commendation wasn't worth much money. But it meant something to him. When somebody stole it from his Marion home last Father's Day, Davis figured he'd never get it back. (Dec 02)

• CSAF Honors Sept 11 Heroes  - Ten Air Force members, including Lt. Gen. Paul Carlton Jr., the Air Force surgeon general, received the Airman’s Medal for their contributions on that fateful day. Another eight received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, while eight others received the Air Force Commendation Medal. One person received the Army Commendation Medal and one other received the Air Force Scroll. Master Sgt. Noel Sepulveda, who received the Airman’s Medal, also received the Purple Heart for injuries he incurred during the attack. The Airmen’s Medal recipients were: Carlton; Lt. Col. Gary W. Holland; Maj. Joseph A. Milner; Chief Master Sgts. Ricky L. Arnold, Paul D. Miller, and John K. Monacio; Senior Master Sgt. Kevin M. Andrews; Master Sgts. Paul R. Lirette and Sepulveda; and Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Fechner. The Meritorious Service Medal recipients were: Col. John S. Baxter; Lt. Cols. Janet Deltuva, Maureen E. Massey and Terry P. Kane; Maj. Michael Moore; Chief Master Sgts. Troy J. McIntosh and Robert Walko; and Tech. Sgt. Randall B. Federspill. Recipients of the Air Force Commendation Medal were: Lt. Col. Matthew D. Swanson; Majs. James G. Cusic and Andrew H. Weaver; Senior Master Sgt. Anthony J. Twitty; Tech. Sgt. Bernard Kimbrough; Staff Sgts. Lisa A. Ducharme and Charles V. Hawkins; and Airman 1st Class Evandra D. Spruell. Lt. Col. William Mitchell received the Army Commendation Medal. (Apr 02)

• Crew nets medals for C-5's return Capt. Zach Zeiner talks with members of the press before men from his C-5 crew received medals. The 10 Travis Air Force Base aircrew who successfully brought their wounded C-5 Galaxy safely back to the ground after it was hit by an Iraqi missile were honored. Air Medals were awarded to Capt. Zach Zeiner, Capt. Steve Radtke, Master Sgt. Geoff Miller and Tech. Sgt. Eric Troutt. Air Force Commendation Medals were awarded to Capt. Jeff Krulick, Tech. Sgt. Reggie Bazemore, Tech. Sgt. Marcus Rettig, Staff Sgt. Jeff Stanhope, Senior Airman John Cooper and Airman Mohammed Seidu. Daily Republic 6 Mar 04

• Lexington airman earns commendation medal Air Force Senior Airman Jaz L. Pope has been decorated with the Air Force Commendation Medal. The medal is awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Air Force. Pope, a unit deployment manager, is assigned to the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.  kentucky.com 21 Jul 04

• Security forces Airmen recognized for valor Three Airmen in the 28th Security Forces Squadron here received medals for their heroism displayed in Iraq in 2005. Senior Master Sergeant Gregory Williams and Master Sergeant Kelly Mixson each earned the Bronze Star Medal, with valor, for their heroism while deployed to Balad Air Base between March and September. Senior Airman Pamela Bolton earned the Air Force Commendation Medal, first oak leaf cluster with valor, for her accomplishments while deployed to Balad AB between February and August. blackhillsbandit.com 5 Jan 06

• Canadian officer garners Air Force medal A Canadian officer, previously assigned to the 21st Operations Support Squadron, returned to the 21st Space Wing Headquarters Building for an award ceremony in her honor. Capt. Teresa Holla is the fourth of 50 Canadian Team Pete members over the past five years to receive a U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal. She is currently the exercise planner in the Exercises, training and development section, North American Aerospace Defense Command. Captain Holla served as the 21st OSS chief of the systems integration section from July 11, 2002, until June 30, 2004. "Her position was particularly critical at that time, as the 21st Operations Group was undergoing heavy upgrades and system changes," said Maj. Jason Gross, 21st OSS operations officer. "She directly supported all 21st SW Space Warning and Space Control squadrons." Captain Holla was recognized for several medal-worthy accomplishments while serving as section chief. She not only streamlined approval processes, eliminating 840 man hours per year; but she played a pivotal role following the system decertification of a Deep Space Sensor. Captain Holla coordinated with various agencies to reduce the range error from 1,480 meters to 100 meters, which allowed the system to be recertified. blackanthem.com 6 May 06

• 914th reservists receive awards for valor in Iraq Reserve Master Sgt's Luann Van Peursem and Joseph Kinney, both assigned to the 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron Niagara Falls ARS, recently received the Air Force Commendation Medals with Valor for placing themselves in harms way to assist two other 914th Airmen injured during an enemy attack on Sather Air Base, Iraq. At approximately 5:30 pm on June 20, the building that both Van Peursem and Kinney were located in was hit by indirect fire from a mortar attack. "We are subject to regular attacks, intended to intimidate us inside the defense perimeter," said Van Peursem. Master Sgt. Kinney said this attack was different from the others they had experienced. "I felt the walls rattle and the explosion was louder than usual, and then I heard yelling outside that individuals were wounded." Master Sgt. Van Peursem knowing she had two staff that were working outside ran to the door and heard cries for help, looking through the smoke at ground level to see Tech. Sgt. Tim Juliano. "At that moment Kinney came over to assist and I went over to Tech. Sgt. Steve Paddison, who also was injured. I didn't know if we were going to be hit again, so I dragged Paddison into a bunker and proceeded to administer immediate first aid to him." Master Sgt. Kinney administered first aid to Juliano after Master Sgt. Van Peursem went to aid Paddison. "I went outside and saw Juliano laid out on the ground. I went to him and assessed the severity of his wounds, and then helped him get into a better position to open his airway," Kinney explained. "Van Peursem came back and I informed her of the wound to Juliano's leg, and I kept pressure on his facial wound, reassuring him that he was okay and everything would be fine." niagara.afrc.af.mil 20 Aug 07
• 914th: Airmen honored for their service Master Sgt. Joseph Kinney doesn’t think he deserves a Medal with Valor for his actions on June 20 while he was stationed in Baghdad. That’s the day he and other members of the 914th Airlift Wing saved the lives of two of their own after a rocket attack outside their building at Balad Air Base. “I’m humbled and honored with a medal, but I wish the situation I’m receiving it for didn’t have to happen,” said Kinney, a Niagara Falls resident and firefighter. “The medal doesn’t make you a hero. To me, anybody who puts on a uniform is a hero.” Kinney, 39, was among four airmen of the 914th honored during a formal military ceremony Saturday morning at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. He and Master Sgt. Luann Van Peursem, 50, received the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor. Tech. Sgts. Timothy Juliano and Steve Paddison, the two airmen injured during the events of June 20, were awarded the Purple Heart, the oldest honor given in the U.S military. lockportjournal.com 6 Jan 08
  

Air Force Cross

• Air Force Cross Recipients (54 Recipients, some with Citations) (Legion of Valor)
• Air Force Cross recipient retires (Master Sgt. Tim Wilkinson, the only enlisted Air Force Cross recipient on active duty. Wilkinson, a pararescueman, earned the Air Force Cross in 1993 for his heroic efforts while supporting Task Force Ranger during an 18-hour firefight in Mogadishu, Somalia. He became the first enlisted person to earn the Air Force Cross since 1975, bringing the total of enlisted honorees to 21)
• Pararescuer awarded Air Force Cross (An Air Force pararescuer killed in Afghanistan while attending to wounded comrades was awarded the Air Force Cross for his heroism. The medal, the second highest military honor, was presented to Theresa Cunningham, the widow of Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, who died in March. The Air Force Cross is the service's highest award and is only surpassed by the Medal of Honor, awarded by Congress. Just 22 airmen have received the cross, and only two have since the Vietnam War, including Cunningham) (Ref: e-mail from Bennett Dickson) (Sep 02)
• Vietnam War hero receives Air Force Cross A Vietnam War hero was awarded an Air Force Cross, giving him proper recognition and closing a chapter in his life. Retired Col. Jerry Hoblit’s actions during the Vietnam War warranted his receipt of the Air Force Cross, but it took the actions of his wingman, Col. Tom Wilson, to help set the record straight. Then Capts. Hoblit, the pilot, and Wilson, the electronic weapons officer, flew 100 missions over North Vietnam in their “Thud”, an F-105 Thunderchief. They were two of the first Wild Weasels in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Air Combat Command News Service Jun 03 More - Thud

• Combat controller posthumously awarded Air Force Cross The secretary of the Air Force choked with emotion and covered his face with his hands as he recalled the bravery of Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman. Chapman was cited for heroism against an armed enemy for his efforts during a firefight March 4 in the eastern highlands of Afghanistan as part of Operation Anaconda. The award is the military's second highest for valor in combat. It is surpassed only by the Medal of Honor. "Since its creation in 1960, the Air Force Cross has been awarded to only 23 enlisted airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. "John is only the third since the end of the Vietnam War to receive this distinguished award. Such is the high degree of heroism for the merit of this medal's award." (Jan 03) Chapman

• Air Force Cross Enlisted Recipients
(Air Force University)
• Airman First Class William A. Robinson
  Airman Third Class Arthur N. Black
  Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger
  Airman Second Class Duane D. Hackney
  Sergeant Russell M. Hunt
  Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Clay
  Sergeant Larry W. Maysey
  Sergeant Nacey Kent, Jr.
  Sergeant Thomas A. Newman
  Airman First Class Joel E. Talley
  Technical Sergeant Victor R. Adams
  Airman First Class Charles D. King
  Sergeant Michael E. Fish
  Technical Sergeant Donald G. Smith
  Sergeant Theodore R. Hamlin
  Technical Sergeant Leroy M. Wright
  Staff Sergeant Charles L. Shaub
  Sergeant Charles D. McGrath
  Staff Sergeant Jon D. Harston
  Technical Sergeant Timothy A. Wilkinson
  Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger

• Key figure in the Vietnam War is starting to earn recognition 37 years after his death One of America's bravest military heroes lies buried, unheralded, beneath a modest headstone on a windswept plot in St. John's Cemetery in Hamburg. He would have received the Medal of Honor, except to give him that distinction would have embarrassed a president. The work he did almost 40 years ago briefly turned the tide of the Vietnam War. It was so vital that only his wife knew that he had resigned from the Air Force and joined the CIA to do it. Today, Hamburg native Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger is known only in military circles and among military historians for his gallantry on a Laotian mountaintop during the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, the second-highest military honor for valor. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor but officials say President Johnson feared giving Etchberger that honor would have forced the president to admit he had violated international law by putting U.S. troops in neutral Laos.Instead the Air Force Cross was posthumously conferred on him during a secret Pentagon ceremony. Now, however, there's a move afoot to give more high-profile recognition. U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, a North Dakota Democrat, is leading the effort to have Etchberger awarded the Medal of Honor. His recommendation is under review. He was on a top-secret CIA mission when he was killed on March 10, 1968, after singlehandedly holding off enemy commandos and saving three wounded comrades before being killed by enemy fire. grandforks.com 27 Feb 05

• Heroic Flint native receives prestigious honor He is the nation's MOST decorated airman in Air Force history, and he's from Mid-Michigan. This week, Chief Master Sergeant Duane Hackney's legacy is being honored. Not only was he the youngest to receive the Air Force Cross, he was the first living, enlisted person to get the heroism award.  Hackney earned 72 medals and decorations, but it was his 1967 heroic act that earned him the Air Force Cross - second only to the Medal of Honor. Hackney was lowered into the North Vietnam jungle from a helicopter, trying to rescue a down pilot.  As he was being hoisted back up, the helicopter came under enemy fire. Disregarding his own safety, he put his parachute on the pilot.  The helicopter then exploded, blasting Hackney through the door just seconds after finding a spare parachute.  Hackney survived. abclocal.go.com 16 Jun 06

• 40 Years Later, Vietnam Vet to Get Medal An Air Force veteran wounded in a helicopter rescue mission during the Vietnam War is being awarded one of the military's highest honors more than 40 years after the battle. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Dennis M. Richardson will receive the Air Force Cross in a ceremony Saturday at the 106th Rescue Wing Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, becoming only the 21st airman to receive the medal since it was created nearly a half-century ago. An Air Force board determined in December 2007 that a mistake had been made back in 1968, when Richardson should have received the honor, but it would not cite specifics. A flight engineer aboard a rescue helicopter on March 14, 1968, Richardson was part of a team trying to rescue two Air Force pilots who had been shot down and were surrounded by enemy troops along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Under heavy fire, and hovering 10 feet above the ground, an already wounded Richardson leaned outside the helicopter door, holding a "jungle penetrator" in one hand and his M-60 machine gun in the other. He provided enough cover for the helicopter pilot to maneuver out of the danger zone. A jungle penetrator is a device meant to be lowered through dense canopy for a downed airman to be lifted to an aircraft hovering above. "The selfless actions of Sgt. Richardson undoubtedly saved his helicopter and crew from certain disaster," says a citation awarding the Air Force Cross. ap.google.com 4 Apr 08
• Broken Link - For Information Purposes Only:

  • Decorated Pilot gets Dream Job (Lt. Col. Paul Johnson, AFC – only 1 of 2 awarded during Gulf War)  

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon

• Expeditionary Service Ribbon honors deployed members Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche has approved award of the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to recognize servicemembers’ support of air expeditionary force deployments. The ribbon will be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard members who completed a contingency deployment after Oct. 1, 1999. Hilltop Times  02 Oct 03

• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (AFESR)

Air Force Gallant Unit Citation

• Recognition will go to airmen outside of combat operations - Arlington, Va. — Air Force personnel fighting the war on terror may soon have another ribbon to wear, even if their duties have kept them far from Afghanistan. Air Force Secretary James Roche has authorized the Air Force to create the Air Force Campaign Medal and two unit citations, the Gallant Unit Citation (GUC) and the Meritorious Unit Award. Air Force officials are reviewing the new ribbons and expect to make a decision in the next few months on the design and who is authorized to wear them. Individual military services traditionally bestow campaign medals to people or units who have distinguished themselves in battle. However, “historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations.” “That criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.”  Thus, the Air Force Campaign Medal will be given to airmen who are not eligible for a Defense Department campaign medal, “but who have nonetheless directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations,” Roche said. Roche also authorized the Gallant Unit Citation, which will recognize units for significant combat heroism at a level below that required for the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Meritorious Unit Award, which will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. None of the new citations will have any point value for promotions. Asked Monday whether the other services intend to authorize similar “out of area” citations or medals for their own personnel, spokesmen for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps said they were unaware of such plans. The Defense Department already has one all encompassing “war on terrorism” award, the National Defense Service medal, authorized in May. The NDS has traditionally been bestowed on all active duty U.S. personnel during wartime, beginning with the Korean War. Every full-time service member on duty since Sept. 11, 2001, is eligible for the current NDS, regardless of where they have serve or in what capacity. Mobilized members of the reserve forces are also eligible. (Ref: Stars and Stripes- Lisa Burgess) (9 Jul 02)

• Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche approved two new medals recognizing units for outstanding heroism in combat and for a