Kunsan Airman wins Sijan award for PACAF

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz
  • 8FW
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic Of Korea --  For the first time in almost a decade, the Pacific Air Forces' nominee for the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award is a Kunsan Airman. 

Staff Sgt. Dennis R. Guay, an explosive ordnance disposal craftsman from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, was notified of his selection Sept. 1. 

"I was home on mid-tour and I just happened to be on my brother's computer," he said. "One of my friends e-mailed me and was like 'hey just wanted to let you know you got PACAF level.' 

"I was surprised," he added. "I was excited and happy." 

The Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award was created in 1981 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership on- and off-duty. It is one of the Air Force's most prestigious awards. The award was named after Captain Sijan who died in captivity after being shot down over Vietnam in 1967. Prior to his capture, the Air Force Academy graduate, and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, evaded the North Vietnamese for six weeks. 

Over the course of the past year Sergeant Guay was recognized for achievements both at home station and while deployed to Afghanistan. 

During his deployment, he was responsible for the protection of an approximately 400 member provincial reconstruction team. He led more than sixty combat operations against enemy forces destroying 53,000--4.2 tons--of unexploded ordnances. One mission required him jeopardizing his own safety to scale a cliff in order to destroy a improvised explosive device saving more than 100 lives in the process. 

Sergeant Guay was also recognized for his participation in bringing five tons of humanitarian aid to two Afghan Villages. While deployed he destroyed a unexploded ordnance that was placed at a Afghan school that provided an educated to more than 100 Afghan students securing the safety of their lives and education. 

On his off-duty time he coached and refereed for the YMCA youth Olympics giving back to the community and mentoring America's future generation. After arriving at Kunsan, while guiding a search for US Soldiers' remains on a World War II battle site he discovered three WWII-era three UXOx and disabled them, securing the safety of his team and the area. 

Sergeant Guay takes great pride in winning the award and hope that his award is just the beginning in recognition for EOD Air Force wide. 

"Most EOD guys don't get a lot of recognition for what we do because a lot of people say 'you're just doing your job.'" He said. "It's nice to see that finally turn around and people are getting recognized for the hard work everyone's doing"