Retired first sergeant presented awards for Vietnam service - March 25, 2013

Col. Robert E. McMillin, II, Virginia Army National Guard chief of staff, presents the Purple Heart and Air Medal to retired 1st Sgt. Herman Brown while Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Holcomb, Virginia National Guard land component command sergeant major, reads the citations March 25, 2013, in Sandston. Both medals were from Brown's gallant service during the Vietnam War. Brown served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 1971 through 1996, and during that time he served honorably in many capacities, culminating as first sergeant for Company D, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment. McMillin and Brown served together in Company D. The Purple Heart was Brown's second, and he earned the award after being wounded Aug. 26, 1969, while loading patients onto a medical evacuation aircraft as a specialist 5 crew chief in the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company. The Air Medal was awarded for for meritorious achievement during aerial flight for the period June 7-14, 1969, while assigned to Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade. Brown's other awards include: Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and four Campaign Bronze Service Stars for Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V-1968, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI-1968, TET69 Counteroffensive- 1969 and Vietnam Summer-Fall-1969.