78th SFS officer earns Bronze Star Published Jan. 5, 2007 By By GEORGE JOZENS 78th ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Bronze Star Medal was presented Wednesday to a 78th Security Forces Squadron member for exceptionally meritorious service in Afghanistan. Capt. Marco Tassone received the Bronze Star Medal in the squadron's guard mount room from Col. Theresa Carter, 78th Air Base Wing commander. "What a great way to start the New Year," said Colonel Carter. "To honor and present the Bronze Star to Captain Tassone." The captain supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. His personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone led to his earning the Bronze Star Medal. "This is something that a lot of other people put a lot of sweat, effort and toil into," said Captain Tassone. "I'm honored to be presented such a prestigious award. I wasn't awarded this; there were 123 people with me that were awarded this. I couldn't have done the job without them." Captain Tassone deployed in May and returned in the middle of December. "Captain Tassone's work in Afghanistan obviously made significant contributions to our efforts in fighting the war on terrorism," said Colonel Carter. "What we often forget, because we focus so much on Iraq, is that the war on terror is not isolated to Iraq alone. We have been in Afghanistan for a year longer than we have been in Iraq." The Bronze Star Medal is presented for heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with operations against opposing armed forces. Authorized Feb. 4, 1944, the Bronze Star is presented to members of all branches of military service. "It was just a pleasure and honor to serve with the people I served with; from the Army National Guard, Army Reserves and Active duty who ran the facilities," Captain Tassone said. "For me it was pleasure of doing a Joint mission where 123 troops worked extremely hard. My biggest success was that 123 people went out and 123 came home."