By Liv Edwards

The Jag

Kellen Heinzman recently received the Silver Valor Award for his brave, voluntary
heroism.
The Silver Valor Award is the second highest decoration that can be awarded to an Air
Force Junior ROTC cadet.
Last Summer, while Cadet Captain Kellen Heinzman was working at Lake Jacomo, he
heard a cry for help from a couple in a rental boat. The couple had been trying to return the
boat to the marina, when suddenly the battery on the boat over heated and caught fire.
“Cadet Heinzman saw black smoke billowing from the boat and heard the couple
shouting for help. He acted expeditiously, grabbing a fire extinguisher and driving a rental boat
to the accident site,” says Senior Master Sergeant Courtney Jones, South Aerospace Science instructor.
One of the people on the boat was in a wheelchair, which made it a much
more difficult situation. But Cadet Heinzman acted quickly and efficiently. Once he reached the
site, he made sure they were both safe, and put out the fire. Once they were all safely back to
the marina, he assisted the marina staff members in towing the damaged boat.
The assistant manager of the Jacomo Marina said, “Kellen’s quick actions prevented not
only further damage to the boat and motor but kept the fire from reaching the fuel line
connected to the motor and fuel tank itself.”
Thanks to Cadet Heinzman, there were no injuries to the couple.
There were several things that had to go on in order for this award to be given and
approved. Once Colonel Stan Cole, senior Aerospace Science instructor at South, found out about Kellen’s acts, he reached out to Kellen’s
supervisors at the Jacomo Marina to get statements about the incident from managers, coworkers, and witnesses. Once he had all the information, enough to prove Kellen’s acts earned
the Silver Valor Award, he submitted a recommendation to the JROTC headquarters.
The director approved and agreed that Kellen had earned this honorable award.
Kellen was unaware that the headquarters had approved the honor until the day of his
ceremony.
“It was the day before we went on Thanksgiving break; Colonel told to wear my uniform
because I was going to be in a video for headquarters. Obviously, I was surprised to find out the
real reason.”
Not only was this a major achievement for Cadet Heinzman, but teachers, professors,
and colleges will see this as a great show of character.
Kellen is excited about this reward for how it may affect his future.
“My goal is to get a ROTC scholarship. This will definitely help a lot, I want to be an
officer, just not sure what in what field yet. I do for sure plan on being a part of the military
though.”