Grissom Airmen awarded medals

Published May 11, 2016
By Senior Airman Dakota Bergl
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- For their meritorious service in the Air Force, 16 Grissom Airmen were recently awarded medals.

Meritorious Service Medal

Seven 434th Air Refueling Wing Airmen were 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 Fitschen, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
Lt. Col. Thomas Riedel, 74th ARS
Maj. John Kutcka, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Maj. Leesa Lowder, 434th AMDS
Chief Master Sgt. Michael Bowden, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Senior Master Sgt. Richard Byrd, 434th Maintenance Group
Tech. Sgt. Carl Schneckloth, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Air Medal

One Airman was presented with 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 are those who received Air Medals:

Maj. Matthew O’Neill, 74th ARS

Air Force Commendation Medal

Five 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. Shawn Bailey, 74th ARS
Senior Master Sgt. Wendi Conwell, 434th CES
Master Sgt. John Rapp, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Cathleen Castleberry, 434th MXG
Staff Sgt. Joshua Knouff, 434th SFS

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:

Master Sgt. James Hoagland, 434th ARW
Tech. Sgt Ryan Strole, 434th AMXS
Senior Airman Welmon Sampson, 434th Maintenance Squadron

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