Keesler Airman honored for life-saving heroism Published March 21, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affiars KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Recently a member of the Keesler family was presented an award for his heroism. Tech. Sgt. Tyler Hamilton, 335th Training Squadron instructor, won the AETC Noncommissioned Officers Association Vanguard Award for the 2011 calendar year. Nominees must be between the rank of senior airman and chief master sergeant and have performed a heroic act, on or off-duty, that resulted in saving a life or preventing serious injury. To be considered for the award, the act must be voluntary and not a result of directions or orders. According to the award citation, April 23, 2011 Hamilton was swimming during a family beach trip when his mother-in-law, Karen Ernst, was overtaken by a large wave. Ernst was quickly swept to the sea floor -- injured and incapacitated. Hamilton immediately reacted. When he reached his mother-in-law, she had lost feeling in the right side of her body and was unable to keep afloat. Hamilton lifted her above the water so she could breathe and began swimming to shore. When the two reached the shore, to prevent further injury Hamilton immobilized his mother-in-law until emergency responders could arrive. Ernst was quickly transported to a local hospital where doctors found three broken vertebrae in her neck and back. Hamilton's quick actions and clear thinking saved Ernst's life.