AF medic receives AFCAM

by Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/9/2013 - 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's 414th Transportation Company, a Reserve unit based out of 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 along with a wrecker drove up to where the vehicle was struck. As soon as they pulled up a second IED went off underneath the wrecker and injured two Soldiers on the ground. Shimanski began taking care of his patients when they started getting shot at from all directions. His gunner and he returned fire for approximately 15 minutes. A couple of hours later a third IED detonated approximately 20 meters away from Shimanski while he was taking care of his patients. Fortunately it only shook up everyone on the convoy. Twelve hours later they were finally 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 made it possible for those patients to be recovered as well as the recovery of the damaged vehicle and 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."