Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000 | 11:48 a.m.
A year and seven months after participating in combat during the air war to drive the Serbian army out of Kosovo, Nellis Air Force Base Staff Sgt. Gunther "Joe" Kirsch was recognized for "meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight" during a ceremony at the base last week.
Kirsch, a member of the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis, received the Air Medal for his role in the rescue of an F-117 stealth fighter pilot who had been shot down deep behind Serbian lines on March 27, 1999.
Brig. Gen. Dave Moody, 57th Wing commander, who recently presided over Nellis ceremonies recognizing former prisoners of war, pinned the medal on Kirsch, whose actions prevented the addition of another American to the POW list.
During the night mission near Serbia, the aerial gunner manned his weapon and scanned for obstacles for his pilot, according to the citation. He then directed the maneuver to identify and load the downed pilot and, while on the ground, spotted and warned the crew of approaching enemy soldiers.
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