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 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Dougherty, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life in the provincial town of Sre Amble, Koh Kong Province, United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, Sector Six, State of Cambodia, on 25 March 1993. On that date, Colonel Dougherty voluntarily and without hesitation, risked his life to defend a Cambodian citizen who could not defend himself. Colonel Dougherty himself unarmed, and with complete disregard for his own safety, and despite the hazard of grave mortal danger, unhesitatingly physically subdued a violent State of Cambodia soldier who was recklessly brandishing a fully loaded AK-47 rifle in the unsafe, automatic firing position, thereby successfully preventing the needless death of a Khmer civilian. Colonel Dougherty continued to persevere in his humanitarian efforts until the individual at risk was safe. Had Colonel Dougherty not taken immediate and forceful action, certain death would have resulted. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Colonel Dougherty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.