| 178th Fighter Wing Airman receives Ohio Cross |
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, the adjutant general for the Ohio National Guard, awarded an Ohio Cross to Staff Sgt. Robert T. Bragg in a ceremony April 6 at the 178th Fighter Wing in Springfield. Several months earlier, then Senior Airman Bragg, a Security Forces journeyman, apprehended an armed gunman and contributed to the apprehension of another. The two men earlier had robbed the Covault Market and Coin Laundry in Dayton. Two people were killed during the robbery. The suspects were fleeing from the scene when Bragg spotted them from his Dayton home. “I had seen the two men about a half hour earlier,” said Sergeant Bragg. “They had asked for directions.” He noticed that they were wearing long jeans and baggy clothes, despite the extremely hot weather, he said. The same two men were running down the street wearing ski masks and gloves and were visibly carrying semi-automatic weapons, Bragg said. “He grabbed his personal weapon and told me to call 9-1-1,” said Bragg’s mother Barbi Byrd. Bragg has a concealed carry license for his 9 mm pistol. “When he ran off the porch, I was behind him,” Byrd said. “I couldn’t believe he was running after those guys. I was amazed. That was the first time that I saw him use his training. He was so composed.” “I challenged them with my personal weapon,” Bragg said. One of the men complied, and the other fled. However, Bragg was able to find out his name, place of residence and that both men had robbed the Covault Market and Coin Laundry. “There is no doubt my military training helped me take action,” Bragg said. “When I came off the front porch, I was crouched low to the ground and remained tactical even though I was running at full speed. I knew when to draw my weapon and when I was legally allowed to shoot if needed.” Bragg’s family, friends and co-workers gathered to recognize his heroism at the ceremony. From parents to grandparents to friends, each echoed and evidenced a monumental feeling of pride through their words and demeanors. Strickland, Wayt, and Col. Mike Roberts, the commander of the 178th Fighter Wing, spoke about Bragg’s actions. “He didn’t receive an order. He wasn’t detailed by a supervisor. He saw his duty and took action,” Roberts said. “Sergeant Bragg recognized the inherent principle that makes this country great—one person can make a difference.” Bragg also received the Miami Valley Crimestoppers’ “Citizen of the Year” in November. In addition to being a traditional Guardsman, Bragg is a Wright State University student. He also is a campus representative for “Students for Concealed Carry on Campus” (concealedcampus.com). He is scheduled to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in financial services in the spring of 2009. “You may only be paid one weekend a month, but you’re an Airman 24/7,” said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the state command chief master sergeant for the Ohio National Guard. “Like it says in the Airman’s Creed: ‘sentry and avenger.’” -30- |
