Sergeant earns Vanguard Award for heroism Published May 12, 2003 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Gabriel Brown is the Air Force's 2003 recipient of the Vanguard Award for heroic action, Air Force Personnel Center officials here announced May 12.Brown is assigned to the 720th Special Tactics Group at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The award, sponsored by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, recognizes a noncommissioned officer who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, that resulted in saving lives or the prevention of serious injury. Brown's heroic deed took place March 4, 2002, at Shah-e-Khot Valley, Afghanistan, during a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Brown's actions saved the lives of 26 servicemembers.The award will be presented during the NCOA's annual convention in Kansas City, Mo., in July. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)