Fallen Airman awarded Silver Star
Maj. Gen. Lawrence L. Wells, 9th Air Force commander, speaks about the courageous actions that led to Senior Airman Bradley Smith being awarded the Silver Star during a ceremony Sept. 8, 2012, in Troy, Ill. Smith was killed on Jan. 3, 2010, during a firefight in Afghanistan. Their patrol entered a village when an IED triggered, killing two soldiers and seriously wounding another. Brad and Army medic Brian Bowman went to their aid and the wounded to safety. After continuing to direct close air support for 30 minutes, Brad and Bowman then went to retrieve the body of one of the fallen soldiers when a second IED triggered, killing both men instantly. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)