JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
A Tactical Air Control Party senior airman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for heroism during a ceremony at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on March 30.
Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn, commander, 59th Medical Wing, presented the award to Senior Airman Michael J. Malarsie for his actions while deployed as a TACP member in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
"Words are not worthy of the heroism that Mike has displayed. He is a role model to us all," said Hepburn.
The Bronze Star is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
Malarsie distinguished himself on Jan. 3, 2010, while supporting the Bravo Company 1-12 Infantry Battalion. He volunteered for an extremely dangerous mission of clearing a small foot bridge of explosives. After crossing the bridge, a member of Malarsie's team stepped on an improvised explosive device, instantly killing him and throwing unconscious Malarsie 20 feet into a nearby ditch.
When he regained consciousness, his team was under intense fire.
He was bandaged up and badly wounded. Yet, Malarsie continued to support those around him. With a broken jaw and a complete lack of vision, the Airman struggled to remove his bandages and return fire. It was then that a second explosive device detonated, further injuring Malarsie and killing another Airman and the medic who had saved his life.
Still in the fight, but unable to see the enemy to aim his weapon, Malarsie began assisting his team members by passing off his rifle magazines as they ran out of ammunition. They were able to keep this pace until they were rescued.
His memory of that day and the events that transpired are not very clear. However, there is one thing that is certain - Malarsie has survived and is determined not only to live his life but also enjoy it.
"When I learned of those men who were never coming home, it changed my life. It motivated me," said Malarsie. "I decided I wasn't going to let being blind hold me back. I am going to live my life, if not for me, then for them."
Malarsie continues to serve his country and community with the help of his guide dog named Xxon.
Still blind from the events of that day, he has remained on active duty and is the current program administrator for Air Force Recovering Airman Mentorship Program for Wounded, Ill, and Injured Service Members under the Air Force Medical Operations Agency at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
"I still have my limbs. I still have my life. I still have the ability to go out and be successful," said Malarsie.