Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Published Nov. 27, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For their meritorious service in the U.S. Air Force, 32 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Sixteen 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. David Marien, 434th Operations Support Squadron
- Lt. Col. Maurice Noel, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
- Lt. Col. John Pannell, 74th ARS
- Lt. Col. Thomas G. Pea II, 74th ARS
- Chief Master Sgt. Glen R. Johnson Jr., 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
- Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Johnson, 434th CES
- Senior Master Sgt. Joanne LaFleur, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Senior Master Sgt. Wesley Marion, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Senior Master Sgt. Linda Mason-Wilson, 434th OSS
- Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Stanevicius. 434th Maintenance Squadron
- Master Sgt. Felita Calvin, 434th Force Support Squadron
- Master Sgt. Kenneth Knight, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
- Master Sgt. Leo A. Piguet II, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Master Sgt. Robert Sucharski, 434th Maintenance Operations Flight
- Tech. Sgt. Bradley Green, 434th AMXS
- Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Knode, 49th Aerial Port Flight

Air Medal

Five 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:

- Capt. Chayce Baldwin, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
- Capt. Robin Cosand, 74th ARS
- Capt. Richard Hastings, 74th ARS
- Tech. Sgt. Christopher Nack, 74th ARS
- Staff Sgt. Clayton Duncan, 72nd ARS

Air Force Commendation Medal

One officer and seven noncommissioned officers 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. Brian Hunt, 434th OSS
- Master Sgt. Rodney Honeycutt, 434th Maintenance Group
- Master Sgt. Caleb Webster, 434th OSS
- Tech. Sgt. Gregory Coryell, 434th Communications Squadron
- Tech. Sgt. Philip G. Henderson Jr., 49th APF
- Tech. Sgt. George Navarro, 434th FSS
- Tech. Sgt. Bryan Stewart, 434th LRS
- Staff Sgt. Kellin Hardin, 434th OSS

Air Force Achievement Medal

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. Joseph Fruggiero, 434th MXS
- Senior Airman David Smart, 434th AMXS
- Airman 1st Class Mandy Thibeault, 434th AMXS

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