Tommy Karnes, member of the United States Air Force Air National Guard, is awarded one of the military's most prestigious awards, the John L. Levitow Award. Staff photo by Trina Bell [Click to enlarge]

Karnes, a member of the 239 Combat Communications Squadron based in St. Louis, has earned himself a lot of bragging rights as a recipient of this award.

Nominated by his peers, Karnes was chosen to attend the Airman Leadership School, hosted at the McGhee Tyson Air Base in Knoxville, Tenn., where he demonstrated superior leadership skills and graduated with high honors, earning him recognition from his superiors, who elected him as the Levitow Award recipient.

The John L. Levitow Award is only presented to one who is a top professional military education graduate from the Air Force Airman Leadership School.

Karnes, a communications specialist, has served as a member of the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard for more than four years now, earning several medals for the time he served in the Middle East, in addition to the recent Levitow Award.

"Being a recipient of this award is more than an honor," Karnes said, "it's a privilege." Karnes, who is very much looking forward to the possibility of stepping up a rank to become a Staff Sergeant, said that, by being a John L. Levitow Award recipient he has gained even more confidence in his leadership and management skills.

To qualify as a possible recipient of the Levitow Award, the individual must possess excellent leadership skills, in addition to receiving high scores on the tests administered at the Airman Leadership School. The Levitow Award is given only to those who display honors in all areas of testing, including performance and leadership skills.

In addition to his military career, Karnes has made a living as an employee of Family Counseling Center as its satellite communications specialist. "As far as what I have gained personally from my experience in the military and from the honors I have received, I feel that the experiences benefit my every day life, as well as what I have to offer my place of employment.

"Knowing that my test scores, leadership abilities and service to our country has been recognized by some of the most recognized leaders in this branch of service, gives me a whole new level of confidence that I feel will lead me to accomplish even greater things in the future," Karnes said. "It's an awesome feeling."

Karnes, a 1996 graduate of Senath-Hornersville High School at Senath, completed his basics at Lackland Air Force Base in Lackland, Tex., in addition to completing two Technical schools, one in Biloxi, Miss., and the other at Fort Gordon, Ga.

Since Karnes was selected to attend the Airman Leadership School, which earned him the Levitow Award, he now has enough college credits to receive his Associates Degree from the community college of the Air Force, which now makes him eligible to go back to school and work toward his Bachelors Degree.

In addition to working toward his future goals regarding education, Karnes has put in a package for commission to become an Air Force officer.

Karnes graduated Mobility School at Warner-Robbins, Ga., and has attended numerous statewide annual trainings during his time of service.

Karnes, his wife Leah, and two children, Cameron, 6, and Emma, 18-months, reside near Rives, Mo. He is the son of Omar and Kay Karnes of Senath.

A press release provided by the Armed Forces Press Service described Air Force Sergeant John L. Levitow as one of only 16 airmen who was awarded the Medal of Honor for exceptional heroism during wartime. The Levitow Award was established after he died, November 8, 2000, at his home in Connecticut after a lengthy battle with cancer at age 55.

Levitow, the lowest ranking airman to earn the medal, received the honor as a result of an incident on February 24, 1969. At that time, the Airman First Class served as loadmaster aboard a severely damaged AC-47 gun ship that was flying a mission over Long Bihn, South Vietnam.

Suffering from more than 40 shrapnel wounds in his back and legs caused by a mortar blast, he saw a smoking magnesium flare amid a jumble of spilled ammunition canisters and despite the loss of blood and partial loss of feeling in his right leg, the 23-year-old threw himself on the flare, hugged it close, dragged himself toward an open cargo door and hurled the flare out. Almost simultaneously, the flare ignited harmlessly outside the door and away from the munitions.

President Richard M. Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Levitow on Armed Forces Day, May 14, 1970, at the White House. After Levitow left the Air Force, he worked in the field of veteran's affairs for more than 22 years.