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 Gene Allen Rausch, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, on 15 September 1980. On that date, Sergeant Rausch responded from off-duty to assist in fighting a major fire involving a B-52H aircraft. For three hours he operated fire fighting equipment very close to the burning aircraft, exposing himself to extreme danger. Finally, he voluntarily re-entered the burning aircraft and successfully recycled the fuel control switches, which ultimately extinguished the fire. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Rausch reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.