Several airmen from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron were awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals with Valor on Monday for their actions in Afghanistan. TSgt. Doug Matthews was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in the Wardak Province on Nov. 27, 2012. After the vehicle he was riding in was overturned by an improvised explosive device, Matthews and his team immediately came under enemy fire. Despite being “seriously wounded” he safely moved his team leader, who also was wounded, to safety. He then coordinated close air support and medical evacuation for the wounded. SSgt. Matthew Matlock received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor and his second Oak Leaf Cluster during the ceremony for his actions while on patrol in the Arabon Valley, Oct. 6, 2012. While under enemy fire, he rendered first aid and carried his wounded teammates to safety, coordinated medical evacuation flights and close air support. SSgt. Christopher Jones also was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and a first Oak Leaf Cluster. On Oct. 8, 2012, James was serving as a joint terminal attack controller attached to an Army Special Forces Team. After his team came under attack, he placed himself in an exposed position “to regain communications [with air support assets] and continue aerial coordination to repel the enemy assault.” (ANG release)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.