Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tia Hambrick | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Foster, recipient of the 2023 USO National Guardsman of...... read more read more
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Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Texas--A Texas Air National Guardsman with the 136th Airlift Wing was recognized as the 2023 USO National Guardsman of the Year during a ceremony in his honor here, Nov. 4, 2023.
U.A. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Foster, a traffic management specialist with the 136th Logistic Readiness Squadron, earned the prestigious honor, which recognizes exceptional commitment to service and community, for selfless acts while assigned to the Texas border.
“Sgt. Foster stood out among all those who were considered for this award for his heroic acts there on the border as part of Operation Lone Star,” said USO Central Region President, Dr. Gary Cole. “In fact, his quick action was most definitely life- saving for a mother and her child.”
According to the citation, on the evening of November 18, 2022, while serving under a Texas state activation in support of Operation Lone Star, Staff Sgt. Foster spotted a mother carrying her small child struggling to cross a vast mudflap in the Rio Grande River. Though they made it across the river, they were severely injured, malnourished and dehydrated from their journey.
Without hesitation, Foster assessed their condition and put his Self-Aid Buddy Care training to use. He continued to provide them with assistance while coordinating support from his command to provide transportation and professional medical care to help save the lives of the mother and child.
The National Guard’s top enlisted member, SEA Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief, National Guard Bureau, took part in the ceremony, praising Foster for his quick action and moral courage.
“Here we have a community servant leader who personifies everything we are as military members,” Whitehead said. “It’s one thing to be that bystander; you see something that needs to be done and you let somebody go to it. It’s another thing to say ‘this is the right thing to do’ and go do it yourself. In the case of Sgt. Foster, he thought he was just doing his job. That’s who he is; that’s who we are as a National Guard.”
Foster said the recognition is humbling but credited his training for helping him instinctively respond to a crisis.
“We are well-trained, so knowing how to react in a challenging situation becomes second nature. I feel as though I am just an extension of our members here at the 136th Airlift Wing. We have incredible people doing incredible things each day. Yes, I am receiving this award, but our members are exceptional. Helping the community and being involved is the big takeaway.”
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2023 13:09 |
| Story ID: | 457905 |
| Location: | FORT WORTH, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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