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 E. Hyers, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, on 23 March 1994. On that date, he observed smoke and flames at the paratroop staging area as a result from being struck by a crippled and pilotless F-16, which had impacted the Pope Air Force Base ramp. He ran toward the area and with total disregard for his own safety from the smoke, flames and exploding ordnance, he began extinguishing fires near injured paratroopers, while directing disoriented soldiers away from the intense heat. Sergeant Hyers realizing that emergency medical transportation had not yet arrived, commandeered a HUMVEE that had not been damaged and moved it into position to load the wounded. After loading four severely wounded paratroopers, ranging from severe burns to injuries caused by flying shrapnel, he evacuated them to Womack Army Medical Center. Upon his return to the scene, minutes later, he continued to remove debris and to facilitate further evacuations and extinguish small fires. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Hyers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.