The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Technical Sergeant Johnnie L. Childs, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, on 15 November 1979. On that date, Technical Sergeant Childs rushed to the area where a student airman was threatening to commit suicide by jumping from a fuels storage tank. With complete disregard for his own safety, Technical Sergeant Childs unhesitatingly positioned himself below the airman to prevent him from striking protruding objects on the ground and, by cushioning the airman’s fall with his own body, succeeded in preventing the airman from harming himself. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Technical Sergeant Childs reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.