NASP medals award postponed

Marines and sailors who put lives at risk to save comrades during a Dec. 6 terrorist attack at NAS Pensacola, Fla., will receive awards for heroism, and those killed or injured in the shooting will also be awarded Purple Hearts, the Naval Education and Training Command HQ announced March 9. Ensign Joshua Watson, Naval Aircrewmen (Mechanical) 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Cameron S. Walters, who were killed by a Saudi military officer in training, will posthumously be awarded Purple Heart medals. Eight others injured in the attack will also receive the award, since federal investigators determined the attack was an act of terrorism after the shooter was found to have been inspired by jihadi ideology. "The awards to be presented include the Purple Heart, Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor, Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom, Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Life Saving Award," officials with NETC said in a media release. The ceremony is set for March 16 at NASP’s National Naval Aviation Museum. (Source: Military.com 03/09/20) UPDATE: The ceremony planned next week to honor service members and civilians involved in the Dec. 6 shooting has been postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns, according to Cmdr. James Stockman, the public affairs officer for the Naval Aviation and Training Command at NASP.