AF medic receives AFCAM

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Senior Airman Daniel Shimanski, 436th Medical Operations Squadron emergency medical technician, was awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal April 5, 2013, at the base theater on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The AFCAM recognizes any Air Force military member who has been under direct and hostile fire while operating in an unsecured space or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire. An individual Airman basic through colonel can be awarded this medal for ground or air combat.

On Sept. 28, 2012, while deployed with the Army Reserve's 414th Transportation Company from Orangeburg, South Carolina, Shimanski's convoy was bombarded with small arms fire and improvised explosive devices. The second vehicle in his convoy was the first to be struck by an IED. Shimanski's team and a wrecker drove up to where the vehicle was struck.
 
As soon as they arrived, a second IED exploded underneath the wrecker, injuring two Soldiers. As Shimanski began taking care of the victims, the team came under fire from all directions. He and his gunner returned fire for approximately 15 minutes.

A couple of hours later, a third IED detonated approximately 20 meters away from Shimanski as he was taking care of his patients. Fortunately, there were no injuries during the explosion. Approximately 12 hours after the incident began, the team was able to return to base.

Tech. Sgt. John Carlton, 436th Medical Group executive officer, said Shimanski certainly deserved the award because of his outstanding performance of medical care and personally taking part in combat operations. He enabled safe recovery of the patients adn damaged vehicle, as well as the eventual safe return of the remainder of the convoy.

"I know Shimanski to be a loyal Air Force member who has proven many times his worth as a medic, but whom also has now proven his courage in battle," said Carlton, who was also Shimanski's supervisor at the time.

The medal features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon, representing the preparedness for war, and an olive branch in the other talon, representing the goal of peace. The eagle is attached to a ribbon of scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes.

Shimanski said it is an honor to be one of the few Air Force medics to receive this award. He said it holds sentimental value to him.

"I think it will show all other medics that even though you might work in a clinic right now, you never know when you could get orders to deploy with the Army," said Shimanski. "You have to keep the mindset that you are a warrior medic."