Bronze Star and a Bride - All in a day's work for Laughlin Airman

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ken Hall
  • Chief, 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  He began his day donning his Service Dress uniform, not for inspection by his first sergeant or commander, but by his soon-to-be-bride, Patty. You see, he had just returned from a year of combat duty in Iraq and was looking forward to a new chapter in his life back home marrying his sweetheart. The day would include more than exchanging vows with the woman he loved, though.

Laughlin's "Tech. Sgt. Natividad Ruiz, Jr., distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement to the United States as Senior Life Support Advisor, Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, from 8 October 2006 to 8 October 2007 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM."

That's the way his Bronze Star Medal citation begins, but it doesn't do justice to what all transpired for him Oct. 26 when he finished his day receiving the nation's fourth highest combat decoration before several hundred of his fellow warriors and two of his commanders--all assembled to recognize him and other top Laughlin achievers for their significant contributions.

Father Natividad Ruiz, Sr., said, "We thank God he's back safe and sound, and we're proud of what he's accomplished," a sentiment echoed by Sergeant Ruiz' mother, Delia Cook.

"I'm grateful for what the military has allowed him to achieve," she said. "And although he's been away from us for so many years in his service, it's been worth it to see just how much he's grown and seen."

"Nat" and Patty got engaged back in March, and it's been a long wait punctuated by never-ending uncertainty for Patty whether he was safe or in grave danger. "I'm still... I'm... I'm just not much for words," a flustered and beaming Patty Ruiz said, adding, "but I'm so very proud of him." Patty said she heard from Nat on nearly a daily basis between emails and phone calls, and she was grateful each time...a fact that eased their separation, making it a little easier to endure despite the 7,000 miles between them.

Nat's new father-in-law retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joe Taylor is very impressed by his new son-in-law. "I'm looking forward to getting to know him better," he said. "He's a very nice young man, and besides, he was smart enough to join the right service!" Colonel Taylor retired from the Air Force after 25 years and three tours of duty in and around Vietnam where he flew KC-135 missions during Operation ROLLING THUNDER.

At Diyala Province's Iraqi Training Base of Kirkush, east of Baghdad, and about 15 miles from Iran, Sergeant Ruiz oversaw two life support contracts worth more than $90M and personally mentored the Iraq Army Base Commander on all aspects of Base Services. As a result, the Iraqis assumed responsibility for life support operations an amazing six months early...a fact that improved quality of life for more than 8,000 Soldiers. The huge improvements in working, living, and dining facilities had a most positive effect on the combat readiness and capability of the Iraqi 4th and 5th Divisions, freeing up precious Coalition resources.

"It was quite adventure," Sergeant Ruiz said, "truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Most notably, Sergeant Ruiz averted a potentially deadly riot when several hundred Iraqi Soldiers stormed the base's medical facility with what they thought was food poisoning from a suspected insurgent attack on the base's food supply chain. "Sergeant Ruiz's quick thinking, expertise, and management skills proved invaluable," the Medal citation reads. "He immediately evaluated the contractor food preparation and serving conditions, determined that food poisoning was not a factor." His quick, spot-on conclusions were later confirmed by laboratory analysis.

Less exciting, but just as far reaching in their import were his mentoring of the Iraqi Base Services and Civil Engineers. He worked with them hand-in-hand designing and implementing an oil and water separator system saving $200K by eliminating repairs and replacement of equipment and recurring blockages due to waste by-products and significantly mitigating transmission of disease by airborne vectors.

As at home with weapons as with services equipment, Sergeant Ruiz served as an expert crew-served weapons operator, providing security overwatch for Explosives Ordnance Disposal specialists as they demolished a prospective Al Qaeda firing position that directly endangered the Military Training Base and the Forward Operating Base. His well-trained fire support also allowed dismounted combat reconnaissance patrols to survey outlying areas of the base, assessing and identifying perimeter vulnerabilities and preventing impending breaches by insurgent forces.

As lead Combat Patrol Gunner, he also protected team members as they traveled more than 1,000 miles of unpredictable, hostile terrain without a single combat casualty, thus providing Coalition show-of-force and enabling the Garrison Support Unit to accomplish site surveys and monitor construction progress. As a result, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki made an informed decision regarding the effective basing of his combat forces, contributing to a free and democratic Iraq.

"Great performance," CMATT Commanding General Army Brig. Gen. Robin Swan said in his recommendation of Sergeant Ruiz' for the Bronze Star to Lt. Gen. James Dubik who commanded the MNSTC-I.

Sergeant Ruiz' commanders back home are just as impressed. "Serving alongside warriors like Sergeant Ruiz makes me proud to call myself an Airman," said Lt. Col. Steve Browning, deputy commander of the 47th Mission Support Group to which Sergeant Ruiz belongs.

"His sacrifices and accomplishments demonstrate that Airmen are in the fight with their fellow servicemen, contributing daily to a better Iraq and globally, in pursuit of a world free from terror," said Col. Laro Clark, vice wing commander at Laughlin AFB.