The tourism economy was also severely affected by the crash of Korean Airlines Flight 801 on August 6 , 1997 . During the rescue efforts , Gutierrez was one of the first responders and the first to reach the burning plane along with Dep . Fire Chief Chuck Sanchez and his security police officer Cecil Sulla . Gutierrez was credited with saving several lives , including 11-year-old Rika Matsuda and Barry Small , an injured helicopter mechanic from New Zealand , who called Governor Gutierrez a " Hero . " Gutierrez received the Eagle Award , the highest award given to a civilian by the U.S. National Guard Bureau . He was recognized by the governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea
Korean Airlines Flight 801
Korean Air Flight 801
Democratic Party of Guam