Pararescueman Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, gave his life in Afghanistan while saving 10 lives and making it possible for seven others who were killed to come home. He was awarded the Air Force Cross on September 13, 2002 due to his duties. On March 4, before landing, the MH-47e Chinook helicopter received a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, which disabled the aircraft forcing it to crash land. Despite the enemy fire, with great risk of his own life, Airman Cunningham remained in the burning aircraft to treat the wounds of his crewmembers. When he began to move his patients to a more secure area, within 50 feet of him, mortar rounds began impacting. Disregarding the extreme dangers around him, he continues moving, exposing himself to the enemy fire on seven separate occasions, bringing each person to the next safe house. At the time of the second collection point, Airman Cunningham was brave during an intense small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack while moving the critically wounded to a third collection point. Even after he was severely wounded and quickly deteriorating, he still continued to directly move each patient and transfer the care to another medic. In the end, his distinct efforts led to the successful delivery of 10 gravely wounded Americans to life-saving medical treatments. Airman Cunningham was laid to rest in the Arlington national cemetery on March 11, 2002. Cunningham expressed the six traits of an effective leader greatly, most likely inspiring and touching many people with his bravery and commitment, not only to the United States but to the 10 people he risked everything to save.