Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Airman’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    March 23, 1994

    Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-220 (May 12, 2003)

    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 Second Lieutenant Lori Elizabeth Katowich, 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, Lieutenant Katowich immediately responded to an F-16D crash site, which destroyed a parked C-141 aircraft. She provided initial response in clearing Aerospace Ground Equipment from around an additional C-141B that was within minutes of becoming engulfed in flames and needed to be moved in order to decrease the danger facing responding firefighters battling the blaze of the engulfed C-141B. During this time she was continuously exposed to intense heat and choking smoke from the burning wreckage. Once the equipment was moved to a safe distance and unhooked from her vehicle, she immediately proceeded to the paratroop staging area strewn with flaming debris and 20 millimeter ammunition to assist in patient triage and care. This included directing “walking wounded” to an area of relative safety where they could be evacuated. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Lieutenant Katowich reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.