The secretary of the Air Force made a visit to Hurlburt Field this morning. She presented a Special Tactics airman with the Air Force Cross.
The Air Force Cross is the second highest award in the service, second only to the Medal of Honor.
Master Sergeant Ivan Ruiz received it for heroism in Afghanistan. In December of last year, he was working with an Army Special Forces team and Afghan commandos. Sergeant Ruiz and two teammates became isolated during a wicked fire fight. His comrades were wounded and couldn't fight. All the while they were under fire...bullets, grenades, so bad it forced Sergeant Ruiz down on his belly. He kept firing, fighting back the enemy until help arrived. Then, still under fire, he dragged a man to safety and started giving medical care He saved the lives of two of his brothers.
That's what brought the secretary of the air force here to Hurlburt Field.
Deborah Lee James, "It is a tribute really to all of us that we pay tribute to Master Sergeant Ruiz and others who put themselves second and put others first. All he cared about that day was getting his brothers in arms to safety, and that's what he did"
MSgt Ruiz "So really that's what it is...I just wanted to make sure my guys didn't get hurt any more than they already were, and I just wanted to do my job'
The Air Force Cross has only been awarded six times since 9-11. Master Sergeant Ruiz is the sixth recipient.
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