News>Alaska Air National Guardsmen receive bronze star medals
Photos
Tech. Sgt. Shane J. Hargis, Air Force Staff Sgt. Theodore M. Sierocinski and Capt. Koaalii C. Bailey stand during a Oct. 13 ceremony after they received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device. Guard photo by Air Force Maj. Guy Hayes.
Three Bronze Star Medals lay waiting to be pinned on Tech. Sgt. Shane J. Hargis, Air Force Staff Sgt. Theodore M. Sierocinski and Capt. Koaalii C. Bailey stand during a Oct. 13 ceremony here. Guard photo by Air Force Maj. Guy Hayes.
10/26/2012 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Three Alaska National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing's 212 Rescue Squadron were awarded a bronze star medal each at a decoration ceremony here Oct. 13.
Surrounded by the support and appreciation of friends and family, these men received their medals for an act of heroism or meritorious achievement in a combat zone during a 2010 or 2011 deployment.
A bronze star medal is the fourth-highest combat award presented in the United States, since the start of World War II. They are only awarded to those who perform acts of valor within areas of hazardous duty, as laid out in U.S. law.
Capt. Koaalii "Koa" C. Bailey, Tech. Sgt. Shane J. Hargis and Staff Sgt. Theodore "Ted" M. Sierocinski had their stories of valor read aloud to the crowd and in turn, were pinned with the medal.
"When you hear the citations read today for these warriors, there are many details between the lines that these gentlemen conducted in the face of extreme adversity," said Maj. Joseph Conroy, commander of the 212 Rescue Squadron, during the ceremony.
These Airmen illustrated the bravery that the people of their squadron and the Alaska Air National Guard stand for every day.
"I'm amazed on a day-to-day basis of what my personnel accomplish whether it's during deployments or here in Alaska conducting rescue missions," Conroy said.
