Wing names Sijan Award nominees Published July 12, 2007 PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force honors Air Force personnel who exhibit the highest example of professional and personal leadership standards with the Lance P. Sijan Award. The award was first given in 1981. It was named in honor of the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Captain Sijan was shot down over Vietnam on Nov. 9, 1967, and evaded capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. He later died while in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp and was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism. The 45th Space Wing is proud to announce its 2007 nominees for the Sijan Award: Field Grade Officer Lt. Col. Scott Traxler 45th Operations Group Company Grade Officer Capt. Robert Corby 45th Medical Support Squadron Senior Noncommissioned Officer Senior Master Sgt. Virginia Gilliard 45th Medical Support Squadron Noncommissioned Officer Tech. Sgt. William Hight 45th Civil Engineer Squadron