ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Peña, 316th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, was awarded the Purple Heart and an Air Force Combat Action Medal by Col. Paul Ackerley, 316th Wing commander on Oct. 26 in a ceremony at the Reel Time Theater.
At the ceremony, Tech Sgt. Justin Haggerty, 316 SFS NCOIC of standardizations and evaluations, read a brief narrative of Sergeant Peña's decoration citation explaining Sergeant Peña's role and injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Staff Sgt. Daniel Peña was assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron conducting police training and team operations.
He was responsible for coaching, mentoring, and training members of the Iraqi police," said Sergeant Haggerty. "He conducted security operations for senior Iraqi government officials and senior diplomats of the United States and its principals in order to enable Iraqi police to take the lead for domestic security in Baghdad and enforce the rule of law and establish a secure environment for Iraqi self reliance."
Assigned to Camp Victory, in July, Sergeant Peña's squadron was en route to an Iraqi police station when his truck was hit by an improvised explosive device.
"We were going to the police station that we were in charge of and a roadside bomb went off," said Sergeant Peña. "That's when I got injured. I had a great team - it actually hurt me more that I wasn't going to be able to finish my tour with them."
After sustaining serious injuries to his right arm and right leg, Sergeant Peña was evacuated to a combat hospital and then to Germany. Over the course of the next several months, Sergeant Peña received approximately 15 operations to his right arm and right leg.
"Today, three and a half months later, after rigorous physical therapy, Staff Sgt. Peña stands before you a proud airman," said Sergeant Haggerty.
"All I can say is that Walter Reed is awesome," said Sergeant Peña. "Every single day we were getting wounded soldiers going in and out and those doctors know what they're doing. I guess I was lucky because I'm surprised they didn't amputate my arm - especially after they said it was going to be amputated. They do good work and I've got good support."
At the ceremony, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, 15th District of Texas, presented Sergeant Peña with an American flag flown over the Capitol in Sergeant Peña's honor. The flag flew over the Capitol on Oct. 24 at Congressman Hinojosa's request and "to honor Sergeant Daniel Peña's dedicated service to our country and in recognition of the prestigious Purple Heart Medal awarded to him," said Congressman Hinojosa.
"It has been an honor to serve as the congressman from the 15th District of Texas and to represent the Peña family from Weslaco, TX," said Congressman Hinojosa.
Sergeant Peña's father was in the Air Force and Sergeant Peña joined in 1999. Sergeant Peña wanted to work in law enforcement and the Air Force recruiters gave him the guarantee he wanted - something the other military branches were not able to offer.
Congressman Hinojosa praised Sergeant Peña for his determination and work ethic, "This young man - who received the guidance and hard-working ethic from his father, Juan, and his mother, Yong Peña - is someone who is well-respected and the whole community of Weslaco and the Rio Grande Valley are waiting to give him a hero's welcome when he comes home."
"When I went to see Sergeant Peña in Walter Reed, I can tell you it was a sad day for me," said Congressman Hinojosa. "And, to see him on stage today, to see him stand up and shake hands with me, with his father and mother gave me chills. I can tell you, it's been a tremendous turnaround."
The Peña family is very appreciative of the support received from the 316th Security Forces Squadron. "Many thanks to the 316th Security Forces squadron for all they've done for Danny," said Mr. Peña. "We've received a lot of support through visits to the hospital and they've really been helping in a lot of ways."
Sergeant Peña is also thankful. "Tech. Sgt. Joyce King, the Air Force liaison at Walter Reed, deserves kudos for the work she does there," said Sergeant Peña. "So does Staff Sgt. Joshua Allen who has really helped my parents out since I got back from Iraq."