Wing member receives medal honoring heritage, service

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tim Taylor
  • 302nd AW Public Affairs
The people of the Navajo nation are a proud group. Master Sgt. Melvin Joe, 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron, assistant supervisor and NCO in charge of heavy equipment, is no exception. 

Recently, his pride was beaming as he became one of the first to accept the Navajo Nation Service Medal “for service in defense of our land and people.” Sergeant Joe was one of five Airmen to receive the prestigious honor. 

Twenty-five members of the Navajo Nation currently serving in the military received their medals from Joe Shirley, president of the Navajo Nation, at a recent ceremony. The group also included 10 Marines, six Soldiers and four Seamen. 

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the Navajo Nation,” Sergeant Joe said. “This medal honors those people who are serving right now.” 

The medal bears the official seal of the Navajo Nation, adopted in 1868. 

A full-blooded Navajo, he resides on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. A member the 302nd Airlift Wing for almost nine years, Sergeant Joe has been with the military since 1989.