Courage near fire

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airman 1st Class Kerry Bowden, from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, received an Air Force Commendation Medal, Oct. 29 at the base theater.

The medal was presented to Airman Bowden for an act of courage he performed when he rescued an elderly man from a trailer fire in Box Elder, S.D., Aug. 28.

Airman Bowden first noticed the fire as he drove to work. He immediately called a 911 operator and provided accurate and detailed directions, which assisted the responding units in locating the home. After he placed the call, Airman Bowden saw the flames intensify and begin to engulf the trailer home.

"My first concern, after I got off the phone with 911, was to find out if someone was still asleep inside the trailer," Airman Bowden said. "I drove down the driveway, ran up to the front door and started knocking to see if anyone was home."

When the elderly man answered the door, Airman Bowden informed him his house was on fire and took him to safety. Airman Bowden also prevented the man from re-entering his house.

"He tried to enter his garage, which was where the flames were coming from," Airman Bowden said. "I grabbed him by the shoulders and directed him away from the house."

After the emergency teams arrived, Airman Bowden provided a brief statement to responders on the scene. Following this, he immediately left the scene and reported to work at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

"He went to work right after everything happened," said Maj. Brian Sitler, 28th AMXS commander, after he presented the medal to Airman Bowden. "They couldn't even keep him away from the shop."