Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Airman’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Senior Master Sergeant

    Action Date:

    July 29, 2015

    Headquarters, Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-138 (August 10, 2017

    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 Senior Master Sergeant Jeffrey A. Ginther, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life near Fresno Air National Guard Station, Fresno, California, on 29 July 2015. On that date, Sergeant Ginther witnessed an automobile swerve off the road and crash into an irrigation canal. Abandoning his vehicle, Sergeant Ginther rushed to the aid of the driver whose vehicle was slowly sinking. A bicyclist traveling along the road also jumped into the canal to aid the driver. As Sergeant Ginther swam to the vehicle, the driver, unable to swim, desperately clung to the head of the cyclist and both men began to struggle to stay above the surface of the frigid waters. Upon reaching them, Sergeant Ginther was able to pull the men above the surface. The driver, frantic and suffering from extreme fatigue, let go of the vehicle, which had been anchoring the group, causing all three men to be violently swept downstream. In his panic, the driver climbed on top of Sergeant Ginther and the cyclist, forcing both men beneath the water. Sergeant Ginther attempted to swim the group to shore, but the strong current and frantic flailing of the driver were too powerful. As the trio was being pushed downstream, the driver inadvertently pushed Sergeant Ginther about two feet below the surface. Sergeant Ginther realized he could touch the base of the canal and quickly devised another strategy to bring the men to safety. Plunging himself down at an angle into the canal and pushing off from the bottom, he was able to project himself and the two men above the water and toward the canal bank. Continuing this method he was able to slowly move himself and the two men he was rescuing to the side of the canal. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Ginther reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.