Memorial remembrance ceremony honoring Lt. Col. William “Bill” Schroeder

Col. Roy Collins, 37th Training Wing commander, prepares to address the crowd during a memorial remembrance ceremony honoring Lt. Col. William “Bill” Schroeder April 7, 2017, at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, Medina Annex. Schroeder’s unit honored his legacy renaming a drop zone as Schroeder DZ and participated in a "Monster Mash" fitness competition, remembrance ceremony and log march. On April 8, 2016, Schroeder recognized a perilous situation developing and reacted swiftly by putting himself between an armed individual and his first sergeant. In the process, he saved lives of other squadron members while being fatally wounded. Schroeder was posthumously awarded the Airman’s Medal, given to those that distinguish themselves by a heroic act – usually at the volunteer risk of their lives but not involving combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Johnny Saldivar)