On October 3, 2009, Chief Warrant Officer Clifford “Bill” Bauman, formerly of Aurora, didn’t think twice when he was faced with a dilemma.
While boating in Chesapeake Bay, Bauman witnessed a barge collide with a small boat. He immediately radioed for help as he piloted his boat toward the accident.
When he reached the accident scene, Bauman realized the four injured fishermen were thrown overboard and were unable to swim. He grabbed life vests and dove into the water.
The first fisherman was motionless and face down in the water. Bauman began emergency CPR to revive the fisherman. In the meantime, another boat arrived for the fishermen.
Bauman returned to the sinking boat where three more fishermen struggled to stay above water. During the next 40 minutes, he helped each fisherman put on a life vest and aided them to the safety of the other boat.
These selfless acts by Bauman, a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, led to him receiving a top honor for soldiers -- the Soldier’s Medal, which is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces who distinguishes himself by heroism not involved in combat. Bauman said the award is the highest non-combat medal of valor a soldier can receive.
The citation states, “Bauman’s tireless efforts, at great risk to his own life, undoubtedly saved the lives of the three fishermen and serve as an example for all soldiers to follow.
“Bauman’s selfless and heroic actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army Accessions Command and the United States Army.”
Bauman received the award on July 23 in a ceremony.
He also has received the Army Commendation Medal for his service on September 11, 2001. That award was for his selfless and tireless efforts to locate and rescue victims from the September 11, 2001, Pentagon tragedy. Bauman voluntarily crawled on his hands, knees and belly through rubble at the Pentagon searching for
survivors.
“Bauman’s performance reflects great credit upon himself and the Army National Guard,” the citation reads. Bauman received the honor on June 20, 2002.
Bauman is a 1988 graduate of Aurora High School. He lived in Aurora until 2000 when he moved to Virginia to take a job at the National Guard Bureau.
He worked at the National Guard Bureau J6 in Washington D.C. until 2001. He then worked at the National Guard Bureau J3 in Washington D.C. from 2001 to 2006.
Bauman then was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 to 2008.
His other work includes: U.S. Army Accessions Command -- BOLC Division Acting Chief/Deputy at Fort Monroe in Virgina, 2008-09; U.S. Army Accessions Command -- DOAC Division Warrant Officer at Integrator Fort Monroe in Virginia, 2009-10; and HQ TRADOC 3/5/7 Generating Force Training Directorate Warrant Officer Leader Development Action Officer at Fort Monroe in Virginia, 2010-present.
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On October 3, 2009, Chief Warrant Officer Clifford “Bill” Bauman, formerly of Aurora, didn’t think twice when he was faced with a dilemma.
While boating in Chesapeake Bay, Bauman witnessed a barge collide with a small boat. He immediately radioed for help as he piloted his boat toward the accident.
When he reached the accident scene, Bauman realized the four injured fishermen were thrown overboard and were unable to swim. He grabbed life vests and dove into the water.
The first fisherman was motionless and face down in the water. Bauman began emergency CPR to revive the fisherman. In the meantime, another boat arrived for the fishermen.
Bauman returned to the sinking boat where three more fishermen struggled to stay above water. During the next 40 minutes, he helped each fisherman put on a life vest and aided them to the safety of the other boat.
These selfless acts by Bauman, a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, led to him receiving a top honor for soldiers -- the Soldier’s Medal, which is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces who distinguishes himself by heroism not involved in combat. Bauman said the award is the highest non-combat medal of valor a soldier can receive.
The citation states, “Bauman’s tireless efforts, at great risk to his own life, undoubtedly saved the lives of the three fishermen and serve as an example for all soldiers to follow.
“Bauman’s selfless and heroic actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army Accessions Command and the United States Army.”
Bauman received the award on July 23 in a ceremony.
He also has received the Army Commendation Medal for his service on September 11, 2001. That award was for his selfless and tireless efforts to locate and rescue victims from the September 11, 2001, Pentagon tragedy. Bauman voluntarily crawled on his hands, knees and belly through rubble at the Pentagon searching for
survivors.
“Bauman’s performance reflects great credit upon himself and the Army National Guard,” the citation reads. Bauman received the honor on June 20, 2002.
Bauman is a 1988 graduate of Aurora High School. He lived in Aurora until 2000 when he moved to Virginia to take a job at the National Guard Bureau.
He worked at the National Guard Bureau J6 in Washington D.C. until 2001. He then worked at the National Guard Bureau J3 in Washington D.C. from 2001 to 2006.
Bauman then was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 to 2008.
His other work includes: U.S. Army Accessions Command -- BOLC Division Acting Chief/Deputy at Fort Monroe in Virgina, 2008-09; U.S. Army Accessions Command -- DOAC Division Warrant Officer at Integrator Fort Monroe in Virginia, 2009-10; and HQ TRADOC 3/5/7 Generating Force Training Directorate Warrant Officer Leader Development Action Officer at Fort Monroe in Virginia, 2010-present.
