Seven awarded Civilian Medal of Valor

  • Published
  • By By Bill Orndorff
  • 309th Maintenance Wing
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  
Seven employees of the 309th Maintenance Wing have received Civilian Medal of Valor awards, recognizing their help during two separate lifesaving incidents in September 2006.

The awards, which are awarded for acts of heroism, with voluntary risk of personal safety in the face of danger, either on or off the job, were presented March 5 by Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan, Ogden ALC commander.

Adam Hales, an electronics mechanic for the 524th Electronics Maintenance Squadron (Electronics and Instruments), was honored for saving a friend and co-worker on Sept. 23. Mr. Hales was leading a group of vehicles along a dirt road when the vehicle behind him lost control and plummeted into a water-filled ditch. The vehicle had turned upside down, submerging the driver's head. The victim was further trapped by a malfunctioning seat belt that wouldn't release. Making a split-second decision, Mr. Hales ran into the water, cut the seat belt off the victim, then pulled him from the vehicle and performed first aid. As a result of Mr. Hales' heroic act, the victim suffered only minor injuries.

The team of Milton Vierow, Dustin Flint, Jeffery Wilkinson, Lonny Sexton, Esther Hardman and Brandon Olsen, 530th Commodities Maintenance Squadron (Power Systems), was honored for saving the life of Kathleen Moss on Sept. 26.

Ms. Moss, a contract warehouse helper in Bldg. 238, collapsed during the day shift when her breathing and heartbeat stopped instantly. Working together, Mr. Flint, Ms. Hardman, Mr. Olsen and Mr. Sexton opened Ms. Moss' airway, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and chest compressions, and monitored her heartbeat. Mr. Vierow and Mr. Wilkinson hooked up and operated the unit's portable defibrillator. Their actions rescued Ms. Moss from a life-threatening situation.

As part of the ceremony, Ms. Moss helped General Sullivan present the awards to her co-workers.