Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Airman’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Action Date:

    August 7, 2005

    Department of the Air Force Special Order G-272 (August 17, 2007)

    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 Master Sergeant Michael A. Garrison, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Redondo Beach, California, on 7 August 2005. Sergeant Garrison placed himself in harm’s way when he witnessed and came to the aid of a driver suffering from a seizure in the vehicle ahead of him. Observing that the occupant of the vehicle was incapacitated and heading downhill toward a busy intersection and a 200-foot cliff, Sergeant Garrison sped past the victim’s vehicle, parked his own, jumped out and waited for the approaching vehicle. He then ran beside it and dove in through the passenger window. Once inside, he engaged the automatic gear shift abruptly, stopping the vehicle just five feet from the busy intersection and 30 feet from the cliff’s edge. With the vehicle stopped, Sergeant Garrison rendered first-aid to the unconscious driver who had swallowed her tongue and was not breathing. He re-opened her airway, saving her life. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Garrison reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.