Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Award of Air Force Cross to Robert Gutierrez, Jr.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

1. Award of Air Force Cross to Robert Gutierrez, Jr. Marker

Inscription.
Citation to Accompany the Award of
The Air Force Cross
to
Robert Gutierrez, Jr.
Staff Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, Jr. distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in Heart Province, Afghanistan, on 5 October 2009. On that date, while assigned as a combat controller to an Army Special Forces Detachment, Sergeant Gutierrez and his team conducted a high-risk nighttime raid to capture the number two Taliban leader in the region. During the initial assault, the team was attacked with a barrage of rifle and heavy machine-gun fire from a numerically superior and determined enemy force. Sergeant Gutierrez was shot in the chest, his team leader was shot in the leg, and the ten-man element was pinned down in a building with no escape route. In great pain and confronting the very real possibility that he would die, Sergeant Gutierrez seized the initiative and refused to relinquish his duties as joint terminal attack controller. Under intense fire, he engaged Taliban fighters with his M-4 rifle and brought airpower to bear, controlling three "danger close" A-10 strafing runs with exceptional precision against enemy forces just 30 feet away. After the first A-10 attack, the team medic performed a needle decompression

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to re-inflate Sergeant Gutierrez's collapsed lung, allowing him to direct the next two strafe runs which decimated the enemy force and allowed the team to escape the kill zone without additional casualties. Throughout the four-hour battle, Sergeant Gutierrez's valorous actions, at great risk to his own life, helped save the lives of his teammates and dealt a crushing blow to the regional Taliban network. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Sergeant Gutierrez reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Erected by the Combat Control Association.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Afghanistan. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.

Location. 32° 24.266′ N, 86° 14.98′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of McDonald Street and Avenue D. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.

marker. Award of Air Force Cross to Ivan M. Ruiz (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Christopher G. Baradat (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jason D. Cunningham (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Keary J.Miller (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Daniel P. Keller (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Richard B. Hunter (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Dustin H. Temple (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex.

Also see . . .
1. Air Force Magazine article "Once More Unto the Breach.". (Submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Defense Media Network article on Robert Gutierrez. (Submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

SSgt Robert Gutierrez, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By USAF Photo

3. SSgt Robert Gutierrez, Jr.

Enlisted Air Force Cross Description image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

4. Enlisted Air Force Cross Description

The AF Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, to any person while serving with the U.S. Air Force, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing enemy force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces, engaged in conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. It is awarded for heroic actions second in precedence only to the Medal of Honor and is presented in the name of the President. It was established by Congress by Public Law 88-593 on 6 July 1960.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 512 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.