(1986-06-21) June 21, 1986 (age 37) Medford, Wisconsin
Allegiance
United States
Service/branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
2004–2015
Rank
Master Sergeant
Unit
21st Special Tactics Squadron
Battles/wars
War in Afghanistan
Battle of Shok Valley
Iraq War Operation Unified Response
Awards
Air Force Cross
Purple Heart (3)
Spouse(s)
Jillian Rhyner
Children
2
Zachary James Rhyner (born June 21, 1986) is a medically retired Combat Controller (CCT) in the United States Air Force who received the Air Force Cross for his actions in the Battle of Shok Valley on 6 April 2008 in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.[1] He was the first living, and second ever, Combat Controller to receive the Air Force Cross after TSgt John A. Chapman was posthumously awarded the medal in 2002 for his actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar.[1][2][3] He has deployed six times, including Iraq and Afghanistan.[4] He has assisted in humanitarian operations and was a part of Operation Unified Response in Haiti during the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[4]
^ ab"Hall of Valor: Zachary Rhyner". Military Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
^LaRaia, Senior Airman Becky J.; McKeown, Lisa Terry; 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs (8 April 2005). "Ship takes heroic legacy to the fight". US Air Force. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Neal, Airman 1st Class Jason A.; 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs (13 January 2003). "Pope combat controller awarded Air Force Cross". US Air Force. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ abCite error: The named reference packers1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Zachary James Rhyner (born June 21, 1986) is a medically retired Combat Controller (CCT) in the United States Air Force who received the Air Force Cross...
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