This issue is known as "Hero Syndrome" and arson is one of the most common ways used to gain recognition.
In the end, he has been charged with "destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities" and making false statements to authorities.
No heroic acclaim and ward for detecting and successfully extinguishing a fire, no career with AA; certainly likely his next deployment will be "three hots and a cot" and prison job - maybe the laundry or mess hall. Sad.
18 U.S. Code § 32 - Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities... "shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both."