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AETC announces 2008 Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Air Education and Training Command officials recently announced the 2008 Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award:

The command selected Tech. Sgt. Jonathan B. Pruden, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Sergeant Pruden distinguished himself by demonstrating extraordinary heroism as the Lead Vehicle Commander, 70th Medium Truck Detachment, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

On June 7, 2007, Sergeant Pruden led a convoy of 50 personnel and 37 trucks loaded with U.S. Army redeployment cargo from Camp Speicher, Iraq southbound for Camp Arifjan. Approximately 30 minutes after the convoy departed Camp Speicher, Sergeant Pruden's vehicle was hit by an enemy improvised explosive device that detonated beneath the cab of his vehicle.
Despite being stunned and disoriented from the blast, Sergeant Pruden was able to assess the situation and with complete disregard for further enemy attack; he exited the truck and ran around to the driver's side to check on the driver.

Upon opening the driver's door, he discovered the driver was wedged between the truck's steering wheel and his burning seat. Braving the smoke and flames billowing from the cab which contained small arms munitions, flares and other combustibles, Sergeant Pruden managed to pry and pull him free from the truck just as the driver's seat went up in flames from the fire now engulfing the entire vehicle.

Awaiting assistance from fellow convoy members, he provided life-saving first aid to his downed wingman who suffered a serious head wound and applied a tourniquet to the driver's injured leg to stop severe bleeding caused by shrapnel. With a blatant disregard for his own personal safety and despite the danger of further attacks from enemy insurgents, the vehicle fire and exploding munitions, Sergeant Pruden's selfless efforts and calm expertise under pressure undoubtedly saved the driver's life.

The command congratulates Sergeant Pruden for his heroic act.