Twenty-two Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Published May 9, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Andrew McLaughlin
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For their meritorious service in the Air Force, 24 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Seventeen 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:

- Col. Christopher Amend, 434th Operations Group
- Col. Thomas Collins, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Lt. Col. Gregory Demaio, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Lt. Col. Richard Krupp, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
- Lt. Col. Brian Stopher, 74th ARS
- Maj. Kelly Ammon, 74th AARS
- Maj. Joel Brecount, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Maj. Matthew Heineman, 434th AMDS
- Maj. Michael Hoke, 74th ARS
- Maj. Brian Thompson, 74th ARS
- Senior Master Sgt. Richard Miller, 434th AMXS
- Senior Master Sgt. Darin Schenher, 434th AMXS
- Master Sgt. Scott Allen, 434th Operations Support Squadron
- Master Sgt. Gregory Minnich, 434th OSS
- Master Sgt. Todd Moore, 434th AMXS
- Master Sgt. Gerald Schumacher, 74th ARS
- Staff Sgt. Dana Bondurant, 434th AMXS

Air Force Commendation Medal

Three Grissom Airmen were awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. 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:

- Lt. Col. Christopher Filer, 434th AMDS
- Master Sgt. Benita Baker, 434th ARW
- Tech. Sgt. Kevin Black, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Air Force Achievement Medal

Two 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:

- Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Beachy, 434th OSS
- Tech. Sgt. McKayla Dick, 74th ARS

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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Twenty-two Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Public Affairs Staff