Samuel J. Byrd is a Medical Laboratory Specialist assigned to the 11th Medical Group, Bolling AFB

DC/Pentagon.

He is currently assigned to the 11th Medical Support Squadron as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), Laboratory Services.

In June 1981, Sgt. Byrd graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Suffolk. He enlisted in the Air Force and entered Basic Training in October 1984.

While attending Basic Training, Airman Byrd led his 24 member flight to the distinction of &uot;Honor Flight&uot; as dormitory chief.

During the next 19.6 years of service, Byrd served in many duty positions to include NCOIC, Immuno-hematology, NCOIC, evening and night shifts, NCOIC, Chemistry and Special Chemistry, and finally as NCOIC, Laboratory Services.

From June 1986 to June 1988, he was assigned to 36th Medical Group, Bitburg Germany as a Medical Laboratory Apprentice in charge of the hematology department.

Byrd was then assigned in June 1988 to December 1991 to the 96th Bombardment Wing Hospital, Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas where he was the NCOIC, Immuno-hematology.

In June 1991, then Staff Sgt. Byrd was assigned to the 86th Medical Group, Ramstein Germany.

He was then ordered to the 1st Medical Group and held many duties to include NCOIC, Supply, Hematology, Blood Bank, Night and Evening Shift; NCOIC, 1st Fighter Wing Air Transportable Hospital for 7 years, Military Drug Urinalysis Program Manager, and finally as the NCOIC, Chemistry/Special Chemistry.

As Technical Sergeant Byrd, he was selected for reassignment to the 48th Medical Group for four years where he currently holds the position as NCOIC, Laboratory Services.

Sergeant Byrd graduated from the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Preparatory Course in October 1987.

In 1991, Sergeant Byrd was selected early to attend the NCO Leadership School at Barksdale AFB, LA.

Here he graduated 11th in class and the only sergeant among 238 senior ranking staff sergeants.

Sergeant Byrd attended and graduated from the NCO Academy, Kapun Germany in February 2000.

Sergeant Byrd is currently enrolled in the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy correspondence course.

During Sergeant Byrd’s career, he has garnered an Air Combat Command (ACC) Laboratory Team of the Year Award and a United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Laboratory Team of the Year.

Additionally, he has one ACC Laboratory NCO of the Year, a 1999 Air Force Laboratory NCO of the Year, 2003 USAFE Laboratory NCO of the Year, and several Airman/NCO of the Quarters along with four Medical Support Squadron NCO of the Year Awards; 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003.

In June 2004, Sergeant Byrd was selected

as

the Medical Support Squadron SNCO of the Quarter.

Sergeant Byrd has attended McMurry University, Southwestern Texas University, and Hampden Sydney College.

Byrd is three credit hours shy of an Associate degree in Applied Science degree.

His military decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters (OLCs), Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five OLCs, Air Force Good Conduct with six OLCs, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one OLC, Air Force Overseas Long Ribbon with two OLCs, Armed Forces Expeditionary Ribbon, Air Force Expeditionary Ribbon (Gold Border), and Global War on Terrorism Ribbon (Gold Border).

Bryd is married to Rose, of

Michigan.

They have five children; Greg 17, Sarah 15, Abagail 14, Korrine 13, and Haili 12.