EOD Airman wins Grateful Nation Award

  • Published
  • By Ilka Cole
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An explosive ordnance disposal Airman here was awarded the 2015 Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Grateful Nation Award in Washington, D.C. Nov. 16.

Tech Sgt. James Fitzgerald, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Robotics Section non-commissioned officer in charge, was the Air Force's selection for the award due to his successful leadership of EOD teams during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

"When the award came around, I knew who to nominate. It was an easy decision. If you look at his accomplishments during the Global War on Terrorism," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Barnett, 96th CEG EOD.   "He deserves this award. All you have to do is look at the number of improvised explosive devices he disarmed; you can't top those attributes."

During his deployments, the 35-year-old, Atlanta native led three person teams during 439 combat missions, 226 route clearance patrols, and rendered 210 improvised explosive devices harmless.  The 14-year veteran also cleared an explosive device while under direct enemy fire resulting in movement of a unit according to his Air Force award citation.

"My job was to find and safe explosive hazards so the team I was attached to could focus on their mission," said the EOD team leader.

He said, his drive and attention to detail was inherited from his father, a psychologist, who believed the phrase, 'The devil is in the details.'

"I enjoy the details too and how they can make or break a situation, said the Fitzgerald. "When you're out on the ground in theatre, the question becomes, 'how do I turn this situation around?'"

Fitzgerald's ability to work well under pressure in stressful environments, critical and innovative thinking skills, 'can do attitude', and his performance record were some of the reasons he was hand-picked by top chiefs for a position on the first Air Force EOD Joint Task Force.  His record demonstrated he could safely meet the needs of his sister service and the needs of the Air Force.

"He takes pride in the work he does. He cares about people," said Barnett. "He applies the lessons he learns on deployment and wants to share that knowledge."

While on deployment in Iraq's northern region Fitzgerald's team encountered a patrol vehicle rollover. During the rollover, the patrol's gunner was thrown from the turret.

As soon as Fitzgerald was on scene, he cleared the area and began to administer combat life-saving skills he learned to deploy with the Army. He sprang into action when he saw the soldier display signs of shock. He placed her into the recovery position, checked for more injuries, splintered her broken arm and, stabilized her until medics came to help and got her into the bird once it arrived.

Back in the states Fitzgerald continues to hone his craft and spent time with local EOD veterans to compare and capture the lessons learned in previous combat missions.

"I am working on the people aspect of my job. My goal is to take care of and help the people assigned to me grow as leaders and EOD technicians," said the master sergeant select. "I want to do the best I can wherever I am, and I feel the rest will fall into place."

The JINSA Grateful Nation Award is bestowed annually to six outstanding service members who show exceptional leadership and heroic conduct during the war on terrorism while engaged in an extreme situation.