Carthage Airman receives Silver Star Medal

U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant John E. Grimesey was honored Friday with the Silver Star Medal and the Bronze Star Medal at Pope Field, North Carolina.

Grimesey is the Operations Flight Chief of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron and leads an A3, Operations Flight with the mission of synchronizing flights with Special Operations’ worldwide air-to-ground integration.

The Silver Star was presented because of Grimesey’s bravery during a clearing mission in Afghanistan on May 25, 2013 when he and his team encountered enemy fire while aspiring to save a wounded Afghan commander. Despite a rocket-propelled grenade injury, Grimesey saved the life of an American special forces soldier as he returned enemy fire and continued firing while he also controlled multiple airstrikes.

In total, he and his team took out 31 enemy fighters, recovered the Afghan commander’s body and saved multiple American and Afghan lives.

The Silver Star is the nation’s third-highest medal for gallantry against an armed enemy of the U.S. in combat. The Bronze Star Medal with the “V” device is awarded for valor or bravery during combat actions against enemy forces and is the fourth highest military decoration for valor.

Grimesey also received the Bronze Star Medal, second oak leaf cluster with Valor for his quick and precise response during an ambush in Afghanistan in 2017.

Grimesey major awards and decorations include: Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat, (three oak leaf clusters), Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in October of 2008.

Grimesey lives in Carthage, is enrolled at Sandhills Community College, and is the son of Moore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Grimesey.

Article by Sandhills Sentinel Journalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.

 

Courtesy photo.

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