Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Published March 21, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For their meritorious service in the Air Force, 16 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Five 434th Air Refueling Wing Airmen were recently presented with Meritorious Service Medals. President Lyndon Johnson established the MSM by Executive Order 11448 on Jan. 16, 1969, as the counterpart of the Bronze Star Medal for the recognition of meritorious noncombatant service. Those who received MSMs are listed below:

- Therese Kern, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Allen, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Hallam, 434th ARW
- Lt. Col. David Schmitt, 434th Operations Support Squadron
- Lt. Col. David Fitschen, 74th Air Refueling Squadron

Air Medal

Three aviators were presented with Air Medals. The Air Medal was established by May 11, 1942 and is awarded to U.S. military and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations. Below are those who received Air Medals:

- Lt. Col. Erik Thorell, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
- Maj. William Schneider, 434th OSS
- Lt. Col. Victor Verboncoeur, 72nd ARS

Air Force Commendation Medal

One officer and three Airmen received Air Force Commendation Medals. This medal was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on March 28, 1958, for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. Below are those who received commendation medals:

- Capt. Jason Baldwin, 434th AMDS
- Master Sgt. Todd Moore, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Staff Sgt. Michael Graham, 434th AMSX
- Master Sgt. Billy Dotson, Jr., 49th Aerial Port Flight

Air Force Achievement Medal

One officer and three Grissom Airmen were awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal. This medal was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on Oct. 20, 1980, and is awarded to Air Force personnel for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force. Below are those who received achievement medals:

- Staff Sgt. Richard Barrett IV, 434th Security Forces Squadron
- 2nd Lt. John Pedro II, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Tech. Sgt. Kevin Mortier, 434th Maintenance Squadron
- Senior Airman Chris Whittamore, 49th APF

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. 434th ARW Airmen and aircraft routinely deploy in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Public Affairs Staff