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Grissom Airmen awarded medals

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  For their meritorious service in the U.S. Air Force, 13 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Ten 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 receiving the MSM are listed below:

- Maj. Kelly Howard, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Maj. David Wilkins, 434th AMDS
- Lt. Col. Daniel Harrison, 434th Mission Support Group
- Senior Master Sgt. James Eliason, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Master Sgt. Timothy Hill, 434th AMS
- Master Sgt. Ethan Minor, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Master Sgt. Harold Peete, 434th LRS
- Master Sgt. Douglas Preece, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
- Master Sgt. Geoffrey Spaulding, 434th Airforce Maintenance Operations Flight
- Master Sgt. Kerry Vanausdall, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron

Air Medal

Capt. Jacob L. Creel, 72nd ARS, was recently awarded his fourth Air Medal. 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.

Air Force Commendation Medal

Two Airmen were awarded the commendation medal, which was authorized in 1958, for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service.

- Capt. Leesa Lowder, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Staff Sgt. Zachary Miles, 434th Maintenance Squadron

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer