Wing honors 'extraordinary' Airmen

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- -- The 193rd Special Operations Wing unveiled its Hall of Honor June 8, immediately inducting three wing Airmen into it. Retired Senior Master Sgt. Donald Koch, retired Tech. Sgt. Phillip Myers and the late Staff Sgt. Ricky Yiengst were inducted into the hall for extraordinary events they were part of and outstanding contributions they made, bringing honor and prestige to the 193rd.

Induction into the Hall of Honor is an esteemed privilege that is bestowed on an individual for their contributions to the mission of the wing.

"The Hall of Honor is significant because we now have the opportunity to recognize our Airmen who have, in the instance of Sergeant Yiengst, given the ultimate sacrifice; and for Sergeant Myers and Sergeant Koch, who have wholly dedicated themselves to the mission despite the cost," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Steven Hile.

Sergeant Yiengst, a 193rd SOW security policeman, died Jan. 6, 1992, as the result of a motor vehicle accident during a deployment to Honduras. He was with the wing for five years and has earned the deep respect of his fellow SPs.

Sergeant Myers received two Purple Heart Medals as a result of his 2004 deployment to Iraq where he sustained injuries from two different improvised explosive device detonations.

Sergeant Koch also received a Purple Heart Medal as a result of his 2004 deployment to Iraq. He sustained injuries when an IED detonated and he administered first aid to Sergeant Myers who was injured in the same attack.

An ongoing project, the Hall of Honor was spear headed by Chief Hile and the 193rd SOW Enlisted Council.

There have been a lot of moving parts, beginning with the creation of creating a wing instruction to establish the eligibility requirements for the Hall of Honor, said Tech. Sgt. Amy Snyder, 193rd Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, supply, material management technician, 193rd SOW Enlisted Council president.

Any individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the mission of the 193rd is eligible for election into the Hall of Honor. Extraordinary contributions include Purple Heart Medals or another award of equal or greater weight, to include state awards, or being killed in action during the execution of a non-contingency mission while assigned to the 193rd. These individuals may be a current or former military member of the wing. A call for nominations will be issued each May. The deadline for accepting nominations will be July.

The Hall of Honor is located on the first floor of building 81 on the wall between rooms 131 and 121, directly across from the Constellation Café entrance.

Chief Hile said the family of Sergeant Yiengst approached him and thanked him for not forgetting their Airman. "I think that says a lot about who we are as Airmen; we won't forget."

*For more information or to nominate an individual for the Hall of Honor, refer to the 193 SOW Instruction 36-2803, Hall of Honor, on the 193rd portal page, located on the Air Force portal.