<home> -- <press releases> -- <April 24, 2007>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—August 30, 2007– Technical Sergeant Shannon L. Cruz, son of Enrique and Gail Cruz of Barrigada, received the prestigious Lance P. Sijan Award from Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General John D. Corley, at a ceremony in the Pentagon earlier this month. Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo was in attendance at the award ceremony to honor the achievements of TSgt Cruz. Sergeant Cruz proved his leadership skills during a deployment to Afghanistan between July 2005 and June 2006. As a member of the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, 1st Air Support Operations Group, Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, Sergeant Cruz saved his team from almost certain death by guiding air support missions to route an attack of over 100 insurgents. Sergeant Cruz then directing his team to a safety while the insurgents were under fire, and was credited by his team leader for saving the lives of his fellow Airmen. “Sergeant Cruz’s selfless efforts in the face of certain death in Afghanistan make him a hero. He is truly deserving of this prestigious award,” said Madeleine Z. Bordallo. “Sergeant Cruz’s mother and father, Enrique and Gail, should be very proud of their son’s accomplishments. Sergeant Cruz now joins heroes of the United States Armed Services who ignored the risk of injury or death defend freedom and liberty during a time of war.” The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below. The Sijan award was first given in 1981, and was named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, Captain Lance P. Sijan. Captain Sijan was shot down over Vietnam on Nov. 9, 1967, and evaded capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. After being captured, he overpowered a guard and crawled into the jungle, but was recaptured. He later died in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp. He was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism. Photo Caption (L-R): Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General John D. Corley; Mr. Enrique Cruz; Technical Sergeant Shannon L. Cruz; Mrs. Gail Cruz; Congresswoman Bordallo.
### Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov |
