Helicopter pilot is Cheney Award recipient Published Oct. 13, 2005 By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- An Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopter pilot from Fort Bragg, N.C., received the Cheney Award in a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 13. Maj. John Groves earned the award for his actions while delivering supplies to Iraq as part of two-ship formation. The major’s wingman was shot down en route. Major Groves, while under fire, found and rescued the other aircrew. “Right after they were shot down, we didn’t know where they were,” the major said. “The rest of my crew kept cool heads and we made the decision to get down and rescue the other crew.” During the rescue, Major Groves and his crew continued to fend off enemy attacks. “It shows that we’ll do whatever it takes to bring our folks home,” Major Groves said. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren presented Major Groves with the Cheney medallion. The major was accompanied by several family members. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to give this to you for this act of heroism,” General Moseley told Major Groves. “You represent the finest traditions of this service.” The Cheney Award is presented each year in memory of 1st Lt. William Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Italy in 1918. It was established in 1927 and awarded to an Airman for an act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature