Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Published Feb. 21, 2014
By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For their meritorious service in the Air Force, 34 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Three 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:

-Capt. Michael R. Hill, 434th Maintenance Group
-Master Sgt. Brian Dickerson, 434th Maintenance Operations Flight
-Tech Sgt. Charles Ruisard, 434th Maintenance Squadron

Air Medal

Thirteen aircrew members 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. David Schmitt, 72th Air Refueling Squadron
-Maj. Daniel Keeney, 434th Operations Support Squadron
-Maj. Bradley Thompson, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
-Capt. Shawn Bailey, 74th ARS
-Capt. Robin Cosand, 74 ARS
-Capt. Jacob Creel, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
-Capt. Scott Street, 72nd ARS
-Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Maier, 74th ARS
-Tech. Sgt. Jerald Cummings, 72nd ARS
-Tech. Sgt. Mckayla Dick, 74th ARS
-Tech. Sgt. Joshua Welch, 74th ARS
-Staff Sgt. Clayton Duncan, 72nd ARS
-Staff. Sgt. Courtney Storey, 72nd ARS

Aerial Achievement Medal

Five officers and two NCOs were awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal, which is awarded by the Department of the Air Force to U.S. military and civilian personnel for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The following received the Aerial Achievement Medal:

-Lt. Col. Douglas Gullion, 434th OSS
-Lt. Col. David Schmitt, 72th ARS
-Lt. Col. Erik Thorell, 72nd ARS
-Maj. Daniel Keeney, 434th OSS
-Maj. William Schneider, 434th OSS
-Staff Sgt. Clayton Duncan, 72nd ARS
-Staff. Sgt. Eric Maul, 74th 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. Theodore Karagias, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
-Tech. Sgt. Joseph Demore, 434th AMXS
-Tech. Sgt. Zuriel Lund, 72nd ARS
-Tech. Sgt. Jessie Rood, 72nd ARS

Air Force Achievement Medal

Seven 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. Foy Cox, 434th Security Forces Squadron
-Tec Sgt. Joseph Demore, 434th AMXS
-Tech. Sgt. Jessie Rood, 72nd ARS
-Tech. Sgt. David Schneider, 434th MXS
-Staff Sgt. Timothy Augustyn, 434th SFS
-Staff Sgt. Joseph Fruggiero, 434th MXS
-Senior Airman Bernard Johnson, 434th ARW

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

Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Public Affairs Staff