Press Release

Defense Intelligence Agency Honors Pentagon Heroes

Washington D.C. - January 10, 2002

On Thursday, January 10th, the Defense Intelligence Agency recognized the heroic efforts of military members and civilians for their distinguished actions immediately following the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.

Vice Admiral Thomas R. Wilson, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, hosted the awards ceremony at Bolling Air Force Base, MD. for the 40 award recipients with their families, friends and co-workers.

"For most of our nation’s history, those so honored for their sacrifices, courage, and dedication usually served overseas, and usually wore the uniform of one of our military services. Today’s ceremony bears testament to a world that has changed – a world in which wars are no longer confined to the region of their origin, and whose participants are no longer only men in uniform. The battlefield of the current conflict includes the cities and towns, and the counties and states of our homeland. Its heroes are both the military and the civilian patriots from which our nation derives its great strength" said VADM Wilson.

Six different categories of awards were presented during the ceremony. One service member received the Purple Heart and seven civilians received the Defense of Freedom Medal, the civilian equivalent award. Eleven heroes received the DIA Award for Humanitarian Service. This award is given to civilian employees and military members who performed heroic acts in response to the attack on the Pentagon. Twenty one employees also received the Defense Intelligence Director’s Award in recognition for their work in supporting the families of seven DIA employees killed in the Pentagon attack.

"Like many other Americans, those we honor on this occasion never set out to become heroes. They would have greatly preferred if the events of 11 September had never happened. But they did happen, and when duty called, these individuals and organizations answered that call. By their actions and in their spirit, these heroes reflect the overall determination of the people of our Agency to bear whatever burden is necessary to achieve victory in the current conflict" said VADM Wilson.

Awards Presented

• Lt Col Daniel E. Hooton, Jr., USAF
  Purple Heart
• Mr. Aaron N. Cooper
  Defense of Freedom
• Mr.David W. Lanagan
  Defense of Freedom
• Ms. Kathy A. Cordero
  Defense of Freedom
• Ms. Christine I. Morrison
  Defense of Freedom
• Mr. Paul E. Gonzales
  Defense of Freedom
• Ms. Patricia M. Pague
  Defense of Freedom
• Mr. Lantz M. Hokanson
  Defense of Freedom
• SSgt Richard S. Cooley, USAF
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Mr. James F. Peck
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Robert F. E. Cooney
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Curtis A. Petersen
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Dr. Robert L. DeGross
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Joseph A. Roberts
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Chaplain Joseph Deichert, USAF
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Mark A. Smith
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Kathleen M. Fuller
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Michael D. Thimblin
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Lantz M. Hokanson
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Mr. Aaron N. Cooper
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Lt Col Daniel E. Hooton, Jr., USAF
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Mr. Dagoberto Cordoba
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Mr. Lawrence D. Mangin
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• LT Todd Dudley, USN
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• SSgt Mark McNeil, USAF
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• LTC Robert E. Everson, USA
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• IS2 Khary D. Stringer, USN
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Mr. Clarence L. Habhegger
  DIA Award for Humanitarian Service
• Ms. Sarah M. Bell
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Karl C. Glasbrenner
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Terri L. Vandell
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Clarence L. Habhegger
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Don L. Washington
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Janice M. Hallsten
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Arlene Wilson
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Patrick J. Malvaso
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Mr. Frederick W. Wong
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Karen D. McCord
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Angela C. Yancey
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award
• Ms. Heather L. Moore
  Defense Intelligence Director’s Award

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.