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 Staff Sergeant William C. Faria, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on 17 August 1993. On that date, Sergeant Faria was assigned as the Flight Control Team Chief to trouble-shoot a flight control problem on F-15 aircraft 78-0525. He was supervising the trouble-shooting phase of maintenance with -60 electrical power and a hydraulic mule with 3,000 pounds per square inch hydraulic pressure applied. During normal system operation of the flight controls, he heard a loud explosion in the hydraulic units expansion chamber. The bay containing the F-15 rapidly filled with vapors and fumes. Sergeant Faria immediately analyzed the situation, directed his assistant to leave the cockpit and shut the electrical power unit off. Visibility had dropped to about one foot in the bay from vapors and fumes. While Sergeant Faria shut down the hydraulic unit using the hydraulic serving lines, he felt his way to the aircraft. He disconnected these lines to the aircraft and released the unit’s brakes and single-handedly pushed the 6,400 pound unit out of the bay away from the aircraft. Sergeant Faria received minor burns to both hands, in addition to nausea caused from smoke inhalation. Sergeant Faria’s quick, decisive actions and disregard for his personal safety, preserved Air Force resources and protected other team members. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Faria reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.