News>CJCS presents Bronze Stars to Nellis pararescuemen
Photos
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the rescue community at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 13, 2011, before awarding Bronze Stars with valor to three 58th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen April 13. Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Hedglin, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Manjuck and Staff Sgt. Asher Woodhouse all received the Bronze Star for their heroic actions while rescuing American Soldiers last year in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth)
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Hedglin, a 58th Rescue Squadron pararescueman at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., after presenting him with a Bronze Star with valor April 13, 2011. Sergeant Hedglin is one of three pararescuemen awarded the Bronze Star for heroic actions while rescuing American Soldiers last year in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth)
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates Tech. Sgt. Ryan Manjuck, a 58th Rescue Squadron pararescueman at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., after presenting him with a Bronze Star with valor April 13, 2011. Sergeant Manjuck is one of three pararescuemen awarded the Bronze Star for heroic actions while rescuing American Soldiers last year in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth)
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presents a Bronze Star with valor to Staff Sgt. Asher Woodhouse, a 58th Rescue Squadron pararescueman at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 13, 2011. Sergeant Woodhouse is one of three pararescuemen awarded the Bronze Star for heroic actions while rescuing American Soldiers last year in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth)
by Senior Airman Michael Charles
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
4/18/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented Bronze Stars with valor to three Nellis pararescuemen during a ceremony here April 13.
Staff Sgt. Asher Woodhouse, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Manjuck and Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Hedglin of the 58th Rescue Squadron were individually awarded the medal for putting their lives at risk under enemy fire to rescue three American Soldiers in Afghanistan June 3, 2010.
"Members of the rescue community and, more recently these three individuals, provide great comfort to families and military members in the fight knowing that there are such professionals willing to enter the hostile conditions to evacuate them if they are injured," Admiral Mullen said.
Each Airman was individually recognized during the ceremony for their courage and role in executing the rescue of the wounded soldiers and protecting both the air and ground assets that were in danger.
During his first deployment after recently cross-training into the pararescue career field, Sergeant Manjuck made an immediate impact. While under enemy fire, he provided hoist extractions for wounded Soldiers and provided medical treatment for a critically injured patient.
"I didn't really know what to expect with it being my first deployment," Sergeant Manjuck said. "I quickly realized that the training I received really helped. Every scenario we faced during our search and rescue missions had previously been addressed in the training I received over the last two years. Even though it was my first deployment it really didn't feel that way."
Sergeant Hedglin acted as the Guardian Angel team leader during the incident. He organized and led the team into the high-threat combat area. Placing the lives of the wounded above his own, he managed to carry a wounded soldier more than 25 meters across open terrain while under fire to a helicopter for evacuation.
"During the incident, I was lucky to have the training that we do at Nellis," said Sergeant Hedglin. "That training helped me to know what to do and how to instinctively react in a high-stress combat situation."
Sergeant Woodhouse was able to spot and alert the aircrew of the HH-60 Pave Hawk, which was en route to evacuate wounded personnel, of incoming surface-to-air missiles. Due to his situational awareness, the wounded individuals were safely evacuated from the hostile area.
"While here at Nellis we are constantly training," Sergeant Woodhouse said. "That training is what makes what we do become second nature and helps us to effectively accomplish the search and rescue mission."
Sergeant Woodhouse was also able to lead his element back into the hostile area to evacuate two injured Soldiers who were critically wounded by an improvised explosive device.
Admiral Mullen and Nellis leadership congratulated each Airman for their heroic actions and dedication to duty.
"These members give great reassurance to our military members in the fight," Admiral Mullen said. "They know that if push came to shove, there are individuals that can provide the medical attention and evacuation procedures necessary for getting our people out of combat fast."
Even after receiving the Bronze Star, the recipients mostly gave credit to the individuals serving with them in Afghanistan.
"I'm accepting this award on behalf of the rescue community as a whole," Sergeant Hedglin said. "Without the whole rescue community working together so often, we wouldn't have the cohesiveness to be effective in our mission to save lives. It's humbling to be able to hear about my brethren in the rescue community and how they helped save people's lives."
"It's great to be part of such an important part of the mission," Sergeant Manjuck said. "The medal is nice, but what I did is nothing compared to some of my brethren in the rescue community who do this every day overseas for a much longer period of time."
President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star in 1944 for presentation to U.S. military members who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service not involving participation in aerial flight while engaging the enemy.
Comments
4/21/2011 11:46:33 AM ET Hoo Yah brothers Class 79-01
L. D. Jeffries , New Hampshire
4/20/2011 4:43:07 PM ET My son looks at his father who is former PJ DFC wValor for Heroism recipient and sees a hero everyday. He is a proud father but I know that he carries the weight of the motto everyday. God Bless these men and what they do. They are truly an elite group and deserve many thanks
Proud, New Mexico
4/20/2011 10:15:37 AM ET These men are heroes. When someone gets hurt and needs help, PJs are called They go in, assess the issues and get them out alive And they were awarded the Bronze Medal with Valor. C'mon. These men DESERVE a whole lot more. I think the award needs to be up there along the lines of the Silver Star. I must agree with those who commented. I have seen senior officers and senior NCOs get the Bronze Medals just for being here and nothing really spectular. And then you these 3 outstanding PJs and they get a Bronze Medal with the V device I think this should be upgraded to the Silver Star!
TSgt R.A.B., Bagram AF Afghanistan
4/20/2011 9:08:31 AM ET heroes - wonderfully trained heroes
stephen w lindberg, elk river mn
4/19/2011 3:35:39 PM ET @RK, Right on. I have seen an overweight female flight surgeon handed a Bronze Star for a 60-day deployment where she supposedly flew on a couple helo missions to locations outside the wire during her deployment to Iraq. To do what exactly is unclear. I have also seen a dentist awarded one for treating a single patient outside the wire at Bagram. I have no faith in the award anymore. It has lost its integrity. Why are senior officers so overrepresented with such a prestigious combat award The PJs should have received a higher award.
Texas Pete, Texas
4/19/2011 3:30:15 PM ET PJs are the true heroes. Everytime they go out they put their lives on the line. They rescue troops. There is nothing more important. God bless them all.
Maj Tim Schmal Ret., Lackland AFB TX
4/19/2011 11:26:29 AM ET These combat heros received a Bronze Star with a V device for Valor. This is an often overlooked distinction, especially when comparisons are made with people who properly received a Bronze Star for what may be the combat zone equivalent of a Commendation Medal.
SMR, Sheppard AFB TX
4/19/2011 11:13:46 AM ET Hey RK, you outa know by now that the Bronze Star has become the standard Colonel and Chief medal for doing the sandbox regardless of location. I've seen the Bronze Star awarded to a Chief who was the CCM at Al Udeid, for crying out loud. CAMP CUPCAKE
Mike, Florida
4/19/2011 11:02:57 AM ET Ditto RK... These Airmen definitely earned their medals and kudos to all. I hate when the Bronze Star gets handed to the very undeserving; it's has happened here a handful of times too much already - same with the Purple Heart.
TSgt Stroude, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland
4/19/2011 10:15:46 AM ET Yet I know a former support group commander who was awarded the Bronze Star because she was commander when the base was rocketed a few times. I believe these PJs earned more than a Bronze Star. But when your motto is That others may live, what is above and beyond?
RK, Oklahoma
4/19/2011 8:55:02 AM ET Congratulations to the 3 who make the Air Force proud. I am honored to have served with TSgt Manjuck back in the day when he was stationed here at McGuire. Congrats Ryan
TSgt Mark R. Jahnke, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
4/18/2011 9:51:10 PM ET Proud to have been a member of the USAF.
