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Grissom Airmen awarded medals

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

Meritorious Service Medal

Four 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:

- Lt. Col. Gary Lockard, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Master Sgt. William Archer, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Master Sgt. Julia McKee, 434th ARW
- Tech. Sgt. Charles Ruisard, 434th Maintenance Squadron

Air Medal

One aircrew member was presented an 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. Below is the Air Medal recipient:

- Master Sgt. Kenneth Knight, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron.

Air Force Commendation Medal

One noncommissioned officer received an 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 is the commendation medal recipient:

- Tech. Sgt. Joshua Dipert, 434th LRS.

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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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