EOD sergeant receives Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A 7th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight staff sergeant was presented a Bronze Star Medal May 1 here for his action in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Sergeant John Hoover is the fifth Airmen to receive the award in the 7th CES EOD flight since 2005. 

\While in Iraq, Sergeant Hoover participated in more than 60 combat missions and was responsible for the destruction of more than 40 improvised explosive devices. He was cited for his heroism while constantly being put in danger, with one explosive device detonating just meters from him. 

The attacks that occurred on Sept. 11 sparked a change in our warrior class in the Air Force, said Col. Timothy Ray, 7th Bomb Wing commander. 

"When I began my Air Force career, aviators were the only Airmen in the warrior class," Colonel Ray said. "After 9/11, our country was attacked in the most dastardly way possible. Our enemy changed, and we had to change the way we fight. Now its not uncommon to see Airmen like Sergeant Hoover join this warrior class." 

While many Airmen recognized him as a hero for his actions while in Iraq, Sergeant Hoover said he is just doing his job. 

"I didn't do this to get a medal," Sergeant Hoover said. "I did this because if it doesn't get done Airmen and Soldiers die." 

Besides receiving recognition for his actions, Sergeant Hoover said he was happy that the local community had the opportunity to see what his fellow EOD Airmen do on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan.