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Minot Airman's heroism hidden by humility

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
During his deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, a Minot Air Force Base Airman led his team during numerous direct and indirect fire engagements with Taliban insurgents while assisting his Marine counterparts in retaking the city of Now Zad, which had been under Taliban control since 2007.

When a group of troops were injured by a Taliban-directed bombing of a vehicle control point, his team assisted in triaging the injured, performing life-saver techniques, and finally carrying them to the MEDEVAC aircraft.

While responding to a battle damage assessment, the vehicle in front of his was struck by an IED. The platoon leader decided to continue on to complete the objective. While proceeding, the team came under enemy fire. Because of two weapon failures, he decided to direct his vehicle into the fight, ordering his gunner to locations where the fire was originating. Firing was returned with two rocket-propelled grenades passing within 20 meters of his vehicle. He and his team continued through to stave off enemies and effectively secured the rear of the movement.

During his deployment, he destroyed more than 1,100 pounds of homemade explosives, collected more than 130 pressure plates, and cleared 18 IEDs.

This man goes by the name of Daniel McKnight, a technical sergeant explosive ordinance technician for the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron. Recently, McKnight was selected to be one of 18 Airmen to be featured in the most recent issue of Portraits in Courage.

Portraits in Courage is an Office of the Secretary of the Air Force initiative that highlights the Air Force's contributions to the nation, specifically in regard to courageous or self-sacrificing actions of Airmen.

When asked about his heroism while deployed, McKnight is humble in that he believes he didn't do anything special.

"I think I was nominated because I had the more exciting deployment out of the group," said McKnight. "I guess I was chosen because the experiences I had fit what the Portraits in Courage was looking for."

On the other hand, Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Allen, 5th CES explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, has another opinion of why he was chosen.

"Tech. Sgt. McKnight meets all the benchmarks of a real hero," said Allen. "Those who are worthy of respect as heroes are humble and understated. When I nominated him, I had to pull his story out of him, mostly because he didn't feel his actions were extraordinary."

Allen said a hero never compares his actions to his peers and thus cannot recognize their own heroism.

"As leaders, we need to seek out the heroism of our subordinates because the truly heroic will never come across that way," Allen continued. "Humility and quiet reflection on the situations they face define a hero."

Many Airmen in the Air Force can look to their leadership for help and guidance. McKnight regards his leadership and peers as more than that.

"My inspiration is the men and women I serve with," said McKnight. "My flight leadership, Senior Master Sgt. Allen, Capt. Purcell, and Staff Sgt. James Tucci all demonstrate the brotherhood we share. They have had my back and supported me through my deployments."

Although McKnight said he didn't do anything special, it's clear to the masses why he was chosen, and his story will be shared with audiences across the country for years to come.