9/21/2010
SrA Michael Buras was born in Tifton, Georgia and grew up in Fitzgerald Georgia. He enlisted in the Air Force in April 2006 and graduated the NAVSCOLEOD in March 2007. He was assigned to the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He was no stranger to Afghanistan. He deployed twice to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to the 755th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, Operating Location Alpha. During his second deployment in May 2009, he received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during an Improvised Explosive Device explosion on his armored vehicle. In 2010, he deployed with the 755th Air Expeditionary Squadron EOD Flight, Operating Location Bravo, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. He and his Air Force team operated from Stong Point Belanday.
SrA Buras earned the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor device and one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Combat Action Medal with Gold Star device, and was awarded the Army Combat Action Badge.
SrA Buras is survived by his wife, Emily and daughter, Maddison, as well as his mother Joy, father John, and sisters Samantha and Michelle.
In Sept 2011, Hwy 129 in Georgia was renamed SrA Michael J. Buras Memorial Highway