Airmanship demonstrated by act of courage

by Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/8/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.  -- A Fairchild Airman performed an act of heroism May 11, 2013, by rescuing a man and his son from possibly drowning at Clear Lake Recreation Area, Cheney, Wash.

Senior Airman Richard Narvaez, 92nd Comptroller Squadron financial analysis, was presented an accommodation medal by Maj. Kevin Watts, 92nd CPTS commander, Sept. 27, for his off-duty actions and act of courage.

"I was walking along the pier with my wife when a man who was swimming with his young son started calling for help," Narvaez recalled. "His son was on his shoulders and the man was struggling to stay above water."

Narvaez said without thinking, he dove in the lake, swimming about 25 feet toward the man and his child. He then quickly secured the child, who could not swim, and brought him safely to shore. When he returned to the father, the man had regained his strength and was able to swim to shore.

Narvaez's wife, Laura, witnessed the event from the pier.

"The way he reacted was really brave," she said. "He jumped in the water only thinking about saving the man and his son. Any chance he gets to help people, he does. When this happened, it highlighted that part of him."

According to his decoration, Narvaez's singular act of courage prevented two possible drownings and epitomized the Air Force Core Values of service before self and excellence in all we do.

Narvaez said he swam back to the pier to get his wife, then went to check on the man and his son who were very grateful for his help. At first Narvaez was modest about his actions, yet when his supervision found out, they were in agreement that he should be recognized for his act of courage.

"To recognize somebody for their job is one thing, but to recognize someone for what they do outside of work is very special in my opinion," said Staff Sgt. Larson Beidler, 92nd CPTS financial analysis supervisor and Narvaez's supervisor. "He tries to do everything he can on-and-off duty, and this kind of action exemplifies that. Airmanship is a whole-person concept. Being able to recognize people for their actions outside of work is very important; it separates an average Airman from an outstanding Airman."