Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner Marker
Inscription.
Award of Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner. .
Citation to Accompany the Award of The Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner. Senior Airman Zachary J. Rhyner distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed enemy of the United States in a valley in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 6 April 2008. On that date, while assigned as Special Tactics Combat Controller, Airman Rhyner executed a day rotary-wing infiltration with his Special Forces team to capture high-value insurgents in a village on the surrounding mountains. The team was attacked in a well-coordinated and deadly ambush while climbing near-vertical terrain to reach their objective. Devastating sniper, machine gun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire poured down on the team from elevated and protected positions on all sides, immediately pinning down the assault force. Without regard for his life, Airman Rhyner placed himself between the most immediate threats and provided suppressive fire with his M-4 rifle to protect multiple wounded soldiers, while simultaneously directing close air support strikes. Airman Rhyner bravely withstood the hail of enemy fire to control eight Air Force fighters and four Army attack helicopters. Despite being hit three times by enemy fire during the opening exchange, wounded once in the leg and hit twice in the chest, only to be protected by his equipment, he controlled more than 50 attack runs. Trapped on a 60 foot cliff even under constant enemy fire, Airman Rhyner repeatedly repelled the enemy with “danger close” air strikes, several within 100 meters of his position, showering his team with dirt and debris. Twice, his actions prevented his element from being overrun during the intense six and a half hour battle. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Airman Rhyner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Citation to Accompany the Award of The Air Force Cross
to Zachary J. Rhyner
Senior Airman Zachary J. Rhyner distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed enemy of the United States in a valley in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on 6 April 2008. On that date, while assigned as Special Tactics Combat Controller, Airman Rhyner executed a day rotary-wing infiltration with his Special Forces team to capture high-value insurgents in a village on the surrounding mountains. The team was attacked in a well-coordinated and deadly ambush while climbing near-vertical terrain to reach their objective. Devastating sniper, machine gun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire poured down on the team from elevated and protected positions on all sides, immediately pinning down the assault force. Without regard for his life, Airman Rhyner placed himself between the most immediate threats and provided suppressive fire with his M-4 rifle to protect multiple wounded soldiers, while simultaneously directing close air support strikes. Airman Rhyner bravely withstood the hail of enemy fire to control eight Air Force fighters and four Army attack helicopters. Despite being hit three times by enemy fire during the opening exchange, wounded once
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in the leg and hit twice in the chest, only to be protected by his equipment, he controlled more than 50 attack runs. Trapped on a 60 foot cliff even under constant enemy fire, Airman Rhyner repeatedly repelled the enemy with “danger close” air strikes, several within 100 meters of his position, showering his team with dirt and debris. Twice, his actions prevented his element from being overrun during the intense six and a half hour battle. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Airman Rhyner reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Location. 32° 24.266′ N, 86° 14.978′ 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.
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 432 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
