Stone receives Air Force Vanguard award Published July 22, 2016 By Staff Reports 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone, 60th Medical Operations Squadron pediatric medical technician, was the receipt of 2016 Non-Commissioned Officers Association Air Force Vanguard Award on July 13, at an award’s banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada, for his heroic actions aboard a Paris-bound train last August. The Department of Defense’s NCOA Vanguard Award recognizes enlisted members who perform an act of heroism resulting in saving lives or preventing injury. The award is named in memory and respect of NCOs who have received the Medal of Honor. Stone garnered international headlines in August 2015 when he and two friends thwarted a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train, subduing and disarming a man wielding an assault rifle, pistol and box cutter. Exposing himself to the man’s line of fire, Stone charged, tackled and restrained the individual. During the struggle, the gunman slashed Stone several times lacerating his head, neck and thumb. Despite his injuries, he provided life-saving care to a man who received a gunshot wound to his throat during the attack. Stone applied pressure to the wounded man’s neck to stop the life-threatening bleeding. For his heroic actions, Stone received France’s highest recognition, the Legion of Honor. Additionally, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the attack as well as an Airman’s Medal.