Staff Sgt. Todd Lobraico Jr., a New York Air National Guardsman in the 105th Airlift Wing who was killed in Afghanistan, will posthumously receive the Bronze Star with Valor in an April 11 ceremony Saturday.
The 105th Base Defense Squadron headquarters at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, will also be dedicated in the security forces airman's honor as part of the ceremony.
The 22-year-old Lobraico, who was known as T.J. to his friends, was killed by small arms fire Sept. 5, 2013, when insurgents attacked his unit near Bagram Airfield. Maj. Bruno Gaita of the 105th Security Forces Squadron told Air Force Times in 2013 that Lobraico died protecting others.
"From all accounts, he put himself directly in harm's way without any hesitation," Gaita said. "He saved people in the firefight. I wish I had 20 of him."
According to Lobraico's Bronze Star citation, he volunteered to set up a listening and observation post eight miles from Bagram in hostile enemy territory. He volunteered to take the point position, the citation said, and scouted ahead and provided security for the fire team.
Lobraico discovered a large team of insurgents that outnumbered his own fire team setting up a complex ambush with rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and small arms, the citation said.
"With total disregard for his own safety, he placed himself directly between his fire team and the insurgents, who unleashed a hellish barrage of rocket, grenade and small arms fire," the citation said. "Sergeant Lobraico took immediate and decisive actions while braving this intense enemy fire, and was mortally wounded while directing the maneuver of his fire team to covered positions from which they could effectively defend themselves and return fire on the enemy positions."
The citation said that Lobraico's actions were key in gaining fire superiority, and ensuring the survival of his team.
"Sergeant Lobraico's remarkable heroism, valorous actions and selfless commitment to his fellow defenders resulted in the removal of numerous insurgents from the battlefield at the cost of his own life," the citation said. "By his heroic actions and unselfish [dedication] to duty in the service of his country, Sergeant Lobraico has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
It was Lobraico's second deployment to Afghanistan. He was the first, and so far only, New York Air National Guardsman killed in a combat zone since Sept. 11, 2001.
Nine members of the New York Army National Guard have been killed in action or died in Afghanistan, and 23 Army guardsmen from New York died in Iraq.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
