Hill Airman Earns Three Bronze Stars

MSgt. Benjamin Horton, an explosive ordnance disposal airman assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah, last week received three Bronze Star Medals—yes, that’s correct, three—for his actions in Afghanistan. Horton was an EOD team leader who participated in life-saving missions clearing out improvised explosive devices for coalition members. In one incident, he remained calm even when a nearby blast rendered him temporarily blind. He held his position until assistance could reach him. Once he could see again, he prevented a unit from entering an IED-laden alleyway. He then performed post-blast analysis before leaving the scene because of his injuries. At the same April 18 ceremony, SSgt. Keith Green, another EOD specialist with the 775th CES, accepted a Bronze Star for his activities, also as an EOD team leader in Afghanistan. (Hill report by Mary Lou Gorny)