Military and DOD civilian personnel can receive medals for their assistance during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. Services may award military members the Humanitarian Service Medal or the Armed Forces Service Medal and civilians, the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal. Officials say personnel may receive only one medal, not one for each hurricane. Read more here.
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.

