United States Department of Defense Press Advisory

No. 129-P July 12, 2002

Sept. 11 Heroes to Receive Medal of Valor

Two heroes from the Pentagon attack on Sept. 11, 2001 will be honored with the Medal of Valor at 3 p.m. on July 15 in the Hall of Heroes. The award recognizes acts of heroism in the face of danger. It is the highest award the Defense Department gives to civilians for courage and valor.

Eric M. Jones, a private citizen, was driving in the vicinity of the Pentagon when he saw American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon. He stopped his car and made his way to the impact area. By this time, the initial response firemen had arrived and were attempting to stop the blaze at the point of impact. Jones saw one fireman in grave danger on a ladder; his suit was on fire. Without hesitation, Jones pulled the burning fireman from the ladder to safety. Jones then entered the building through the impact opening and began helping people.

Steve A. DeChiaro, also a private citizen, was entering the building on Sept. 11 for a meeting when the plane struck. Rather than seeking safety for himself and under extremely hazardous conditions, he proceeded to the impact area and began carrying people to safety and medical triage.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, Lt. Gen. John A. Van Alstyne, will present the medals.

Media representatives without Pentagon building passes who wish to cover this event must have proof of affiliation and two forms of identification, and should be at the Pentagon's River Entrance security booth no later than 2:45 p.m. EDT. Media representatives should contact Lt. Col. James Cassella at (703) 697-5134.

Eric M. Jones, Steve A. DeChiaro listen as Army Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne speaks during a ceremony where they received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal of Valor. The Pentagon presentation was on July 15, 2002. Photo by Jim Garamone.

Defense Honors Private Citizens for Pentagon Heroism

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2002 -- The Defense Department honored two private citizens today for their bravery during the terrorist attack on the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001.

Steve A. DeChiaro and Eric M. Jones received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal of Valor during a ceremony at the Pentagon. "When the aircraft hit the Pentagon, these young men moved out smartly to help others," said Army Lt. Gen. John Van Alstyne, deputy assistance defense secretary for military personnel policy.

Jones was driving near the Pentagon when he saw the hijacked airliner slam into the building. He stopped his car and ran to the area. He directed people to safety and then began to evacuate injured personnel.

"We're proud of what we did, but we don't understand why we are singled out when so many others did the same things," Jones said at the ceremony. He said he and DeChiaro accept the award as representatives of all those who helped.

DeChiaro was walking into the building entrance from the south parking lot when the plane hit. He immediately went to the impact area and started evacuating the injured and the dying.

Both men carried and helped people to safety and to medical triage. Both were cited for their bravery immediately following the attack.

But the story didn't end there. Jones and DeChiaro remained on the scene and "helped out in any way they could," Van Alstyne said. This meant, among other duties, helping to recover the bodies of those killed in the attack. The two remained at their volunteer posts for more than 72 hours, he said.

DeChiaro said he was humbled and honored to receive the award. He asked that "we as Americans never forget that day and those lost in the attack." And he called on all Americans "to keep the families of those who died in service to America in our prayers forever."