Eglin Airmen awarded Bronze Stars for deployment accomplishments

  • Published
  • By Leslie Brown
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  No matter what year it is, Dec. 7 is a date with special meaning to Americans since 1941.

Some remember the attack on Pearl Harbor. Others remember the stories told by those who were alive on that fateful day. But Dec. 7, 2009, is a day several Eglin Airmen will remember for a different reason.

Five Airmen here were recognized for their distinguished service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with presentations of the Bronze Star medal. A sixth medal was awarded but not presented at the ceremony.

"How appropriate that it's Pearl Harbor Day and we're presenting these medals today," said Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander. "These heroes and warriors have earned these awards during their service in harm's way doing great things for our country."

The period of eligibility for the award of the Bronze Star Medal began Dec. 7, 1941.

A BSM is awarded to men and women who, while in the capacity of military service, distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service.

The award has such a great significance that one Airman's parents drove more than 18 hours to witness the presentation and surprise their son they haven't seen in nearly six years.

"I am so proud of him," said Shirley Carroll, mother of Tech. Sgt. John Carroll. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything." Mrs. Carroll came from north of Detroit to see her son receive his medal.

Sergeant Carroll, a 96th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance technician, was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for nearly six months where he was part of 30 combat missions that recovered more than 101,000 conventional and chemical ordinance items.

Senior Master Sgt. Eric West, 96th Civil Engineer Group first sergeant, deployed to Baghdad for a year as part of the coalition training team that worked directly with the Iraqi Air Force. He was happy his family could attend the ceremony because he felt it provided closure for them.

"My family supported me throughout my deployment," Sergeant West said. "This is just as much for them as it is for me."

Other BSM recipients were: Lt. Col. Christopher Holmes, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander; and Tech. Sgt. Howard Loughran and Staff Sgt. Lucas Dorosky, 96th CES EOD technicians.

Tech. Sgt. Todd Kuikka, 96th CES EOD technician, was also awarded a BSM but was unavailable for the ceremony.