The Bronze Star is one of the military's top honors for heroism. It is tough to get one. It is extremely rare to get three.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Muse is being awarded one today. Staff Sergeant Trevor Bradford is now getting his third.

When asked how he managed to earn such a high honor three times, Bradford says he was mainly just at the wrong place at the wrong time. But he did take the right action each time.

Bradford is a joint terminal attack controller. He goes right into battle with the Army and calls in air attacks to help the troops on the ground. It also means he's right in the middle of battle, such as an ambush in 2003 during the drive toward Baghdad.

"For over 72 hours airman Bradford was under almost constant enemy fire often being engaged from both sides of his vehicle," the ceremony announcer said.

"And as I came back up an RPG flew by my head and I engaged four personnel on the ground while still coordinating air strikes," Bradford said.

Bradford's wife, Ashli, says she's glad she find out about the danger until later.

"I'm just very excited. He's such a war hero to me," she said. "It's afterwards I hear about it and I'm just glad he comes back home."

All three Bronze Star incidents happened during the invasion of Iraq in '03 when Bradford was still an airman. But it took the Pentagon four years to finally recognize the third heroic deed in saving lives.

Ceremony, "By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty Airman Bradford has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

Bradford not only gets the bronze star, but is now also qualified for advancement in rank and pay.