Malmstrom Airman wins 20th AF Lance P. Sijan Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Maj. Timothy Liebold, Air Education and Training Command student and former maintenance operations officer at Malmstrom Air Force Base, has become one of a very select few who have earned the privilege of calling themselves a Sijan Award winner.

Liebold was recently selected by 20th Air Force as the Lance P. Sijan winner in the senior officer category.

The Lance P. Sijan Award was created in 1981 to recognize individuals who've demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in their jobs and day-to-day lives, and has become one of the Air Force's most prestigious honors that an Airman can receive.

The award is named after Lance Peter Sijan, an Air Force fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. On the night of Nov. 9, 1967, Sijan ejected from his F-4 Phantom during a combat mission near Ban Ford in Laos, due to a bomb's premature detonation.

Severely wounded, he evaded the enemy for 46 days but was eventually captured by the North Vietnamese. Many Airmen's lives were saved from his refusal to give up classified information.

Sijan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, a Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal for his heroism and bravery in the face of danger. 

Today, those who receive this award in his name can only do so if they have displayed exceptional leadership skills and a strong adherence to the Air Force core values.

"I was extremely surprised and honored to represent the 341st Missile Wing," said Liebold. "I was even more surprised and elated to represent 20th AF as well."

According to Liebold, some of his biggest challenges he's overcome that have made him the leader he is today have been completing his bachelor's degree, gaining acceptance to Officer Training School and completing a 179-day tour of duty to Afghanistan.

Within his career, ensuring maintenance personnel under his command were not overworked and burned out has been a challenge he's taken on daily to help his fellow Airmen.

"I have been blessed to work for numerous officers and have had great senior non-commissioned officers mentor me throughout my career," Liebold said. "My wife and kids have also supported me on this wild ride as an active-duty Airman. My family keeps me grounded."

To be successful, people need to make long-term goals, he believes. Subsequently, short-term goals need to be created to keep on track with those long-term ones.

"If you do this, you can constantly evaluate your life to make sure you are staying on track," Liebold said.

For the future, Liebold is excited for the opportunity to become a squadron commander.

"The Airmen who work for me, and my family motivate me," Liebold said. "My main emphasis every day is to make sure all our Airmen have the required training, resources and time to complete their job.

"I only succeed if they succeed," he added.