Gregg Gow honored with Bronze Star

SANDPOINT — Air Force special agent and Hope native Gregg Gow is a walking example of what it means to be cool under fire, and his steady hand and excellent judgment recently earned the 32-year-old a Bronze Star, one of the nation’s highest honors.

The prestigious award was given in recognition of Gow’s service in Iraq, most notably for a June 2007 incident that saw his convoy come under attack from a powerful roadside bomb. Seconds after the blast, through the haze of smoke and debris, Gow noticed that his convoy’s lead vehicle had been hit and was rolling out of control.

After directing his driver to pull in front of the damaged vehicle, Gow and his crew extracted two mortally-wounded comrades and an injured third. During the extraction, Gow observed a group of armed men running toward the vehicle. Even in the extreme stress and confusion of the situation, Gow exercised restraint and held his fire.

Gow’s initial reaction paid dividends, because he soon learned the approaching men were Iraqi military troops coming to aid his men. His quick, calm reaction not only saved the lives of the ally troops, but helped regain control of a chaotic situation.

Now stationed in Hawaii, Gow’s time away from combat has given him a chance to reflect on his service in Iraq.

“It was rewarding as well as humbling,” said Gow, who will be promoted to master sergeant in November. “It was tough emotionally and mentally, but I think it made me a stronger person and I’m proud of the folks that are serving over there and that I served with.”

A graduate of Clark Fork High School, Gow enlisted in the Air Fore more than a decade ago for the educational opportunities and to bring focus into his life, and he feels like the service has provided those things and more. So much so that he will mostly likely become a career military man, Gow said.

As idyllic as Hawaii sounds, Gow said he misses seeing his family, most of whom reside in Bonner County. Prior to his move to Hawaii, Gow spent several years at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, which enabled him to make semi-frequent trips back to Bonner County.

“The best thing (about being at Fairchild) was being able to spend time with my family,” Gow said. “My mom and dad are still there and my brother and his wife are in Sandpoint, so seeing them is always great.”

Gow’s mother Donna said she worried and prayed a lot when her son was in Iraq, but is glad to have him out of harm’s way, even if he’s no longer close to home.

His next scheduled leave is in October, and Gow said he hopes to make it back to Idaho.

Although he is not scheduled to return to Iraq, Gow said he is ready to go if he is called upon again.