HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Master Sgt. James Hodge, 66th Air Base Group first sergeant, was recently awarded the Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center level.
The award is presented annually to a Department of the Air Force enlisted member who performed a heroic act, on or off duty, at the risk of personal danger and in a legitimate attempt to save life or prevent serious injury.
“He isn’t one to ask for attention, but what he has done is amazing,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Vollmer, 66 ABG command chief. “This is true hero kind of stuff.”
Hodge earned the honor for two separate life-saving actions in 2025.
The first incident happened in March while Hodge was attending the Air Force First Sergeant Academy in Montgomery, Alabama.
On his way to the academy, he came upon a car accident involving two vehicles that were smoking badly, one catching fire.
With no one else on scene to help, Hodge immediately took action. He freed both drivers, who were severely injured and trapped in their vehicles, and provided first aid to the drivers and passengers.
When emergency responders arrived, Hodge informed them of the situation and continued to class. It wasn’t until his instructor noticed blood on his uniform that Hodge explained what happened.
“The main reason I stop and help is because if that was one of my family members, I would hope somebody would do the same,” he said.
The second incident happened in June while he was visiting an Airman who had been hospitalized.
After stepping into a restroom, he heard unusual noises and noticed blood pooling on the floor of a stall. Hodge forced his way into the stall and found a man with a knife and a severe, self-inflicted wound.
Disregarding his own safety, Hodge quickly disarmed the man and applied pressure above the wound to slow the bleeding.
He called for help, and medical staff quickly arrived.
Using his Tactical Casualty Combat Care training, Hodge assisted medical staff in applying a tourniquet, saving the man’s life.
Once again, Hodge found himself in an emergency situation, and while others nearby hesitated, he acted.
“My parents raised me so that if you see someone needs help, you help them,” said Hodge. “That stuck with me and is something I’ve made sure to teach my kids.”
Along with the Pitsenbarger Award, Hodge has also been recognized for his actions by being selected for the Non Commissioned Officers Association Vanguard Award and is currently competing at the Air Force Materiel Command level for both awards.
“It’s nothing special,” Hodge said. “Someone needed help, so I helped.”