Hosted by PJs in
Vietnam
Last Update:
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Site Mission: Provide Pararescue
and Air Rescue History
Airman's or Soldier's Medal Recipients
Attention to orders. Citation to accompany the award of the Airman's Medal to Technical Sergeant David C. Shuman
Technical Sergeant David C. Shuman distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life near Mount Augusta, Canada, on 19 June 2002. On that date, Sergeant Shuman hoisted 200 feet beneath a helicopter under very hazardous conditions to a seriously injured climber stranded on a 5,000-foot cliff face. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Shuman elected to hang suspended 2,000 feet over a glacier, and brave constant rock fall from the adjoining cliff, persevering in his humanitarian efforts until he succeeded in rescuing the severely injured climber who was secured to a narrow ice shelf. The climber had been stranded there for nearly 30 hours with critical head, spine, and internal injuries. Time was of the essence and Sergeant Shuman suspected the man was dying, if not already dead. Despite the danger of hanging suspended on the small cable from a helicopter with minimal fuel, on the edge of its power envelope, with no place to land if anything went wrong, Sergeant Shuman selflessly insisted he be give the chance to rescue the climber. Very few people would even consider doing this rescue under such hazardous conditions. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Sergeant Shuman reflect great credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force.