Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley talks to Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner after a ceremony to present the NCO the Air Force Cross March 10 at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Sergeant Rhyner of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron received the medal and a Purple Heart for uncommon valor during Operation Enduring Freedom for his actions during an intense 6.5-hour battle in Shok Valley, Afghanistan, April 6, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo)