Airman gives first aid during rocket attack in Baghdad

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq – Master Sgt. Luann Van Peursem (right), 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, receives the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor from Brig. Gen. Burton Field, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, July 12 for providing first aid to Airmen injured by a rocket attack here in June. Sergeant Van Peursem led the initial medical response for two Airmen critically injured by shrapnel from an exploding rocket. After the rocket hit outside her building she quickly responded to moaning and cries for help. As she was providing aid to the first Airman, she heard additional cries in the distance. She passed care of the first victim to others and ran to the other victim. By herself she moved him to a bunker for protection and rendered proper aid. She then managed the care for both victims until medical personnel arrived. The Valor device is not for peacetime acts of service. The Valor decoration was awarded to Sergeant Van Peursem to recognize the selfless action of placing herself in harm’s way during an attack to provide aid to multiple injured Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke)