DOUBLE HONOR: Lajes senior NCO receives Bronze Star, Army medal

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Lajes members, friends and other well-wishers assembled in the contracting conference room here to recognize a senior NCO, who was honored in a ceremony May 22, when he was presented the United States' fourth-highest combat decoration and an Army medal. 

Master Sgt. Duane Frey, 65th Contracting Squadron, was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. 

In the same ceremony, presided by Col. Peggy Poore, 65th Air Base Wing commander, Sergeant Frey was also presented the Army Commendation Medal, which he earned for disarming a U.S. soldier who was drunk in a deployed location, preventing the soldier from endangering herself and others. 

"I'm extremely humbled to be honored with the Bronze Star, especially knowing that other recipients of the Bronze Star gave their lives and received the medal posthumously," said Sergeant Frey. 

During his deployment as chief, Joint Contracting Command for Iraq/Afghanistan Procurement Management Review Program, Sergeant Frey was tasked with reviewing more than 1,300 contracts, valued in the billions of dollars, for compliance, adverse trends and fraud indicators. He provided detailed briefings to command leadership on the health of theater-wide acquisition practices and implementation of policy. 

Sergeant Frey, who was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Patrizia and two children, Joseph and Tommy, said he was humbled to receive these medals, but most importantly expressed his desire to share the honor with his wife and children and those members of Lajes who provided support to them (his family) during his absence. 

"I firmly believe that it is more difficult to be the family member left behind than it is to be the deployed member," he said. "My family deserves equal honor for the service I provided during this deployment."

The Bronze Star is awarded to personnel in any branch of the military service who distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit; but such service must have been accomplished with distinction, which is exactly what Sergeant Frey did­­ -- He distinguished himself.

Despite being exposed to hostile fire on numerous occasions while conducting over 50 missions outside the wire and what others might considered as a deserving act of distinction and heroism, the humble senior NCO felt he was just doing his job.

During some of his travels to about 16 regional contracting centers scattered across Iraq (as far north as Mosul and as far south as Bucca), Sergeant Frey's team engaged with the enemy trying to harm the team via improvised explosive devices, small arms fire, mortars and rockets.

"I was placed in situations that required me to rely on the training I've received over the course of my career," he said. "I don't consider myself to be more deserving than any other Airman, Soldier or Marine, in fact, I worked with many who endured much more than I did who will receive lesser honors. I accept the bronze star medal on their behalf, and I will cherish my memories of serving with heroes."

Most members in his unit described Sergeant Frey as an outstanding leader and were very impressed about his achievements.

It's no surprise to his commander here that Sergeant Frey did as well as he did in Iraq and came home with a Bronze Star because his performance back home is nothing but exceptional.

Lt. Col. Lomelin, 65th CONS commander, said the senior NCO embodied one of the 65th Air Base Wing's Pillars--Training Ready Airmen and took it to the next level.

He also took what he knows professionally and the things we are trying to cultivate here at Lajes to the next level and to Iraq, Colonel Lomelin said.

"It is definitely a great reflection on the squadron and Sergeant Frey," Colonel Lomelin said. "And it also reflects well on the wing--Team Lajes. The support his family received, the training he received before going to Iraq, and his reception back home. The wing does a great job."