The Air Force awarded a Bronze Star medal to TSgt. Gregory Pauli, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing. Pauli received the medal for his actions while serving as an active duty EOD team leader on deployment to Afghanistan in 2007. During one mission under enemy fire, Pauli helped organize his team to secure the area and retrieve wounded and dead troops from another vehicle in the convoy. He stabilized the wounded and arranged transport to medical care. Pauli left active duty, joining the 104th FW’s new EOD unit six months ago. (Read more in Boston Globe report and The Republican report)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.