BACKGROUND: Early on in life, MSgt Horton chose to pursue purpose over money and fame, so following Basic Military Training, he applied and successfully completed the extremely demanding EOD School. While stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, he was immediately called upon to support the war effort in Afghanistan following 9/11 during which he became an expert Team Leader and later a Combat Leader. During his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, he personally led 739 combat missions. After numerous acts of heroism, MSgt Horton was eventually awarded three Bronze Stars and named one of 20 National Heroes by the President in 2009.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Eight-time Stryzak Award winner, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008; Gen Lupia Military Technician of the Year, 2002; NCO (Noncommissioned Officer) of the Year, 2002 & 2009; Sijan Leadership Award winner, 2006; 12 OAY (Outstanding Airmen of the Year), 2009; three-time Bronze Star recipient, 2011
NAME: MSgt Paul Horton
HOMETOWN: Corpus Christi, TX
CURRENT DUTY: Peterson AFB, CO
JOB TITLE: Chief, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight
JOB DESCRIPTION: Locate, identify, render safe and dispose of conventional, biological, chemical or nuclear ordnance. Also support VIP missions for the U.S. Secret Service, State Department and other federal agencies.
