So I was flipping through a local publication I received in the mail that comes out quarterly detailing things that have happened in the community as well as up-coming events, etc. and I saw an article talking about the charity Helping a Hero had presented a house to a disabled veteran in our town. The article was something similar to this one and briefly mentioned he was an Air Force Combat Controller and had earned the Air Force Cross. That made me a do a double take as that isn't just some random medal. Similar to the MoH, it is usually awarded posthumously. So I had to look him up online.

Zachary Rhyner did a total of 6 deployments, getting wounded on a couple of them. The Air Force Cross citation came from the Battle of Shok Valley in April 2008. I've copied and pasted a piece from his citation here:

...while assigned as Special Tactics Combat Controller, Airman Rhyner executed a day rotary-wing infiltration with his Special Forces team to capture high-value insurgents in a village on the surrounding mountains. While climbing near vertical terrain to reach their objective, the team was attacked in a well-coordinated and deadly ambush. Devastating sniper, machine gun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire poured down on the team from elevated and protected positions on all sides, immediately pinning down the assault force. Without regard for his life, Airman Rhyner placed himself between the most immediate threats and provided suppressive fire with his M-4 rifle against enemy fire while teammates were extracted from the line of fire. Airman Rhyner bravely withstood the hail of enemy fire to control eight United States Air Force fighters and four United States Army attack helicopters. Despite a gunshot wound to the left leg and being trapped on a 60-foot cliff under constant enemy fire, Airman Rhyner controlled more than 50 attack runs and repeatedly repelled the enemy with repeated danger close air strikes, several within 100 meters of his position. Twice, his actions prevented his element from being overrun during the intense six-and-a-half-hour battle.

Wiki link here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zachary_Rhyner

I hope I have the honor of running into him around town sometime.

My post was tagged for review when I posted it due to some keywords I guess and I didn't see it posted until earlier today. Just a quick bump for anyone else to read

Brave man.

Outstanding!! Got BLESS Airman Rhyner!

Helping a Hero is waaaaaaaay better than Wounded Warrior Project. I had a 60" projection TV that I wanted to donate and WWP didn't even want to talk to me; got the feeling all they want is $$. Fortunately, a local radio personality (Sam Malone) had just been a guest at an event for Helping a Hero. He connected me to their website and I got in touch with the local COL who was supervising a project for a disabled SSgt veteran who was getting a house built for him. I was able to get my TV donated for the SSgt's household along with a Guitar Hero bundle for his kids. What a win-win!!!