'Portraits in Courage' features Keesler medic Published Dec. 15, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON -- The fifth volume of "Portraits in Courage" released Friday highlights 18 Airmen who demonstrated bravery and heroism in the crucible of war as they repelled air and ground enemy fire, led convoys through perilous terrain and assisted injured comrades. The stories describe ordinary Americans who accomplished extraordinary deeds despite harrowing challenges. Master Sgt. Kenneth Gestring, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron anesthesia flight superintendent, was one of the Airmen featured in the volume. Sergeant Gestring, who received the Purple Heart earlier this year, established a casualty collection point under fire without regard to his own safety and injuries he sustained from a blast following an insurgent forces submunitions attack. In the preface, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy said the collection "serves as an unremitting tribute to the spirit and accomplishments of all Airmen, poignantly reminding us of the sacrifices that are required, by service members and their families, to secure the many blessings of liberty." To read the complete fifth volume of Portraits in Courage, log on to http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101209-019.pdf.