Sergeant wins Vanguard Award for heroism Published May 18, 2004 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Swartz is the Air Force's 2004 recipient of the annual Vanguard Award for heroic action.Sergeant Swartz is a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.The award, sponsored by the Non Commissioned Officers Association, recognizes a noncommissioned officer who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in saving lives or preventing serious injury. Sergeant Swartz's heroic deed took place April 8, 2003, near Bayji, Iraq, during a mission supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.While a member of an advanced reconnaissance vehicle element supporting a task force, Sergeant Swartz gave his all while wounded and under fire, according to his nomination. He pulled a seriously injured Army ranger from the hood of a burning vehicle, moved the ranger and his equipment to safety, and quickly treated his critical wounds. Sergeant Swartz also provided invaluable information which saved time in the rescue, medical care, and recovery of an eight-man team that was separated from the group, officials said. His actions were directly responsible for saving the life of one ranger, recovering a fallen comrade, and aiding in saving the lives of the remaining team.The award will be presented to Sergeant Swartz during the NCOA's annual convention in Las Vegas in July. (Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center News Service)