Courtesy Photo | New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Petersen ( second from left)...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON--A Commack, N.Y., resident, who graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in finance and worked on Wall Street before enlisting in the New York Air National Guard and spending two tours in Afghanistan, is the USO’s National Guardsman of the Year for 2013.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Petersen, a full-time member of the 106th Rescue Wing's 103rd Rescue Squadron, was recognized during the USO’s annual Washington Gala on Oct. 25.
Petersen also received the Bronze Star for Valor for his heroism under fire during a Dec. 10, 2012, medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan in which the lives of three soldiers—two Americans and one Afghan—were saved. He was also selected as the New York Air National Guard Airman of the Year.
The recognition from the USO, which has provided services to American troops around the world since 1941, is a great honor, Petersen said.
He was one of six service members recognized by the USO during their event.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo praised Petersen.
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I congratulate Staff Sgt. Christopher Petersen for his recognition by the USO as National Guardsman of the Year,” Cuomo said. “During his service in Afghanistan, he put his own life on the line to save three fellow Americans in the face of enemy fire. He is wholly deserving of this award and he has truly made New York proud. His selection by an organization like the USO is also a salute to all members of the New York National Guard. I thank him for his dedication to our state and country.”
"I just did my job," Petersen said. "There are a lot of other people who are just as deserving."
Petersen attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Business Administration with a major in finance and a minor in theology. After graduation he joined Ernst & Young as a financial analyst but left that job in August 2008 to join the Air National Guard as a pararescue airman.
Known as Guardian Angles, pararescuemen are trained to rescue downed airmen on sea or land by parachuting in or rappelling out of a helicopter. They are also trained to provide medical support and are skilled in survival and ground combat skills.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, Air National Guard pararescuemen like Petersen are often called on to conduct medical evacuation missions while under fire.
During two deployments to Afghanistan, Petersen served on more than 85 combat missions.
"Because of Staff Sergeant Petersen's bravery while serving in Afghanistan, three soldiers are alive today. In those crucial moments he made it possible for three of his comrades to share many more special moments with their friends and family members." said USO Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff John I. Pray, Jr. "Not surprisingly, the USO is immensely proud to be able to thank Staff Sergeant Petersen on behalf of all Americans for his selfless service and heroism."
He'd always been interested in military service, Petersen said, and wanted to be a pararescueman because "this was a program where you could push yourself physically and mentally."
He also wanted to be involved in a military program where he could learn medical skills, Petersen added.
During the two-year pararescue training program, Petersen received the Charles D. King Award for top academic performer, and the Purple Heart Association Award and Jason D. Cunningham Award for excellence as a medic.
Petersen said he elected to serve as a full-time member of the Air National Guard because he wants to develop the military skills he's honed as a pararescueman.
“I enlisted in a time of war and it would be wrong for me to shy away,” he explained. “Knowing that the people we pick up or treat come back home to their family and friends is pretty meaningful.”
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2013 09:05 |
| Story ID: | 115879 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Hometown: | COMMACK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 1,066 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Petersen, a Long Island resident, recognized by USO, by Eric Durr, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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