Navy pilot receives Bronze Star

Editor’s note: Lt. Cmdr. Matt Mowad and his family are Coronado residents. A career Navy pilot who grew up in Ventura has been awarded the Bronze Star medal for meritorious service during ground combat operations in Iraq. Lt. Cmdr. Matt Mowad, son of Yolanda Mowad of Ventura, was presented the medal during a May 29 ceremony in San Diego, where he is stationed. The Bronze Star is the nation’s 10th highest military award and fourth highest combat medal, eclipsed only by the Silver Star, Navy Cross and Medal of Honor. Mowad was awarded it in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as an Operational Plans Officer for a Special Operations Joint Task Force. The citation says his contributions ensured the success of a series of ground combat operations of national significance. In a brief interview, Mowad declined to divulge details, saying it was for his service over several months last spring and summer, but much of the information is classified. A spokesman at the Pentagon said the Navy almost never provides specifics on operations that are considered highly sensitive. Read the entire VenturaCountyStar article here.