Airman's Medal Awarded Posthumously to Master Sgt. Daniel Wassom

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  • 189th Airlfit Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  

 
A moving ceremony held here Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, commemorated the life and heroism of Arkansas Guardsman Master Sgt. Daniel Wassom. 

His wife Suzanne, father Dan Sr. and mother Pam accepted the Airman's Medal and participated in the dedication of a street in Dan's name on the base.

The Airman's Medal is awarded to an Air Force member who distinguished himself or herself by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of his or her life but not involving actual combat. Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clark III, director of the Air National Guard and the top ranking Air National Guard member at the Pentagon, presided over the event and conveyed the Airman's Medal to the family.

"I represent 105,000 Airmen across 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. It is an honor and privilege to present this medal, on behalf of the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard to the Wassom family," said Lt. Gen. Clark.

To further honor the life and legacy of Master Sgt. Wassom, a portion of the main road that runs through the 189th campus has been renamed and dedicated as "Master Sgt. Dan Wassom Road."

"Dan was willing to step up when the time called for action," said Col. Robert Ator II, 189th Airlift Wing commander. "We are humbled by his character and will be reminded of him daily when we come to work and make that turn on Master Sgt. Dan Wassom Road."

Wassom, a loadmaster instructor in the 189th Airlift Wing, lost his life while shielding one of his daughters when an EF-4 tornado ripped through Vilonia, Ark. on April 27, 2014. During his time in the Arkansas Air National Guard he served as an instructor loadmaster and deployed in 2010 in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In addition to the Airman's Medal the Wassom Family were also presented two other medals which Dan earned during his service in the 189th.  The Adjutant General of Arkansas, Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, presented the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal, and Col. Robert Ator II presented the Meritorious Service Medal.

"Master Sgt. Wassom died as he lived, in service to others," said Colonel Ator.

Col. Robert Ator II, Suzanne, Dan, Sr., and Pam Wassom unveil the new MSgt. Dan Wassom Road sign during a December 6 ceremony on the Little Rock Air Force Base campus of the Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing. The road that runs through the 189th campus was renamed in honor of the Air Guardsman who lost his life shielding his family from an April 27 tornado that ripped through Vilonia, Arkansas.

Col. Robert Ator II, Suzanne, Dan, Sr., and Pam Wassom unveil the new MSgt. Dan Wassom Road sign during a December 6 ceremony on the Little Rock Air Force Base campus of the Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing. The road that runs through the 189th campus was renamed in honor of the Air Guardsman who lost his life shielding his family from an April 27 tornado that ripped through Vilonia, Arkansas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ian Caple)