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DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - An airman from the 306th
Rescue Squadron, received a Silver Star medal in a ceremony here
July 14, 2013.
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U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force, pins a Silver Star on Staff Sgt. Zachary Kline, 306th Rescue Squadron pararescueman during a ceremony at Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base, Ariz., July 14, 2013. Kline earned the medal while
serving in Afghanistan April 23, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Senior Airman Christine Griffiths)
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Staff Sgt. Zachary Kline was awarded the Silver Star
medal for gallantry in connection with military operations
against an opposing armed force near Bagram Air Field,
Afghanistan April 23, 2011.
"The Silver Star is way
up on the continuum of honor," said Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla,
Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force who presided over
the event. "That means you voluntarily risked your life to
save others, voluntarily risked your life to expose yourself
to great danger in the service of your country. And that is
exactly what Zach Kline did that day."
Kline endured approximately six hours
under enemy fire, while in the process of recovering two
U.S. military members.
"It's an honor being
recognized for just doing my job," said Kline. "I worked
with some awesome guys and was nice being a part of it."
According to the award citation, Kline was a part of a
rescue team tasked to recover two U.S. Army pilots from an
OH-58D Kiowa that had gone down. While on the ground, Kline
fought enemy fire while coordinating by radio with aircraft
to target threats located behind his position.
During the engagement, an incoming round ignited fuel within
the wreckage, which then erupted in flames. He continued to
push through enemy fire to an alternate site while still
guiding overhead aircraft to adversCambria positions by radio.
"He leaves us with an example of an airman that
bands together with other airmen to get the job done and to
save others so that they may live," Padilla said. "When Zack
leaves our Air Force he's going to leave it just a little
bit better because of his accomplishments while he was
here."
The Silver Star is the third highest military
decoration for valor and is given for gallantry in action
against enemies of the United States.
By USAF Senior Airman Christine Griffiths
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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