SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- The sons of a 127th Wing Airmen have been honored by their father's commanding officer for bravery.

Daniel and Brendan Stutts, sons of Staff Sgt. Daniel Stutts, a member of the 127th Maintenance Squadron's propulsion shop, were awarded commander's coins from Col. Rolf Mammen, 127th Maintenance Group commander, during a brief commander's call ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The two teens were home sleeping on the morning of July 11 when a fire broke out in their home, caused by a plug-in air freshener. Brendan, 13, was initially awoken by the family dog, Mishka. Unable to leave his room via the door, due to fire and smoke, Brendan climbed out a window, pulling Mishka out behind him. Brendan called 911 and then beat on the window of his brother, Daniel, 16, who was also able to escape out a window. Their parents were not home at the time of the fire.

The boys then attempted to rescue the family's two cats, but were unable to re-enter the house, due to the fire. After the fire department arrived, the cats, Cocoa and Smokey, were brought out of the house, not breathing. Daniel was able to assist the fire department in resuscitating both cats.

"Our military personnel are often called heroes," Mammen said. "But our people receive extensive training on a regular basis. These two young men, without any training, were able to get out of the house and to save their pets. They deserve our recognition."

The Stutts home was a total loss - "except for the most important things in the home, the lives of their sons and their family pets," said Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Fetty.