Four Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 were awarded the Individual Action
Air Medals with the combat distinguishing device last December 16 for heroic actions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
STRIKE/FLIGHT DEVICE Bronze Arabic numeral denotes the total number of strike/flight awards of the
Air Medal earned subsequent to April 9, 1962
Naidyhorski was awarded the
Air Medal for his efforts.
For his valor and service, he was awarded the
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He was a tall-turret gunner and radio operator with the 490th Bomb Group, a B-17 Flying Fortress unit of the Eighth Air Force, based in England, and was awarded the Purple Heart on February 6, 1945, as a result of enemy action in Strasbourg, France; he also earned an Oak Leaf cluster, an
Air Medal, and four battle stars.
He had also served in the first Gulf War and, following his death in Afghanistan, the military awarded him the
Air Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Nevada Distinguished Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
She is the recipient of the
Air Medal for her courage and bravery during the destruction of a Republican Guard supply line in treacherous flying conditions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A command pilot with over 5,000 military flying hours, General Sweeney is a recipient of the Silver Star,
Air Medal, National Defense Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with two bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Occupation of Japan Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Force Longevity Medal, and the Massachusetts Military Service medal.
His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V," three Meritorious Service Medals, three Strike/Flight
Air Medals (two with Combat "V") one individual
Air Medal with Combat "V," four Navy Commendation Medals (three with Combat "V"), two Navy Achievement Medals, and various campaign and service medals.
An award known simply as the
Air Medal is given for 100 hours in flight during combat conditions.
Every pilot received an
Air Medal. Some got Bronze Stars and others Distinguished Flying Crosses."
Frand was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice as well as the
Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Reynolds, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, second and third Oak Leaf Clusters for his previously awarded
air medal, and promoted to the rank of captain in the Army Air Forces.
Luchtman's personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal,
Air Medal with Combat "V," Strike/Flight
Air Medal (eight awards) and other personal and unit awards.