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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - “Sometimes you find yourself in a
situation bigger than yourself,” said Lt. Gen. James Terry,
commander of U.S. Army Central, during the award ceremony at Patton
Hall, Dec. 19, 2014.
Terry pinned Sgt. 1st Class John
Jackson, a USARCENT plans noncommissioned officer, with the
Soldier's Medal for heroic actions.
The Soldier's Medal is given for heroic acts
during peacetime, not involving actual combat.
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Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commanding general, U.S. Army Central, presents Sgt. 1st Class John Jackson the Soldier's Medal for heroism during a ceremony at Patton Hall, Dec. 19, 2014. Among those in attendance were Lt. Gov. of South Carolina John Y. McGill, South Carolina Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Bill Dukes and state Sen. J. Thomas McElveen III. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sharmain Burch)
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The Coolville, Ohio, native rendered first aid to two
civilians at the scene of what could have been a fatal
accident along U.S. Highway 378 in Sumter, S.C., April 10,
2014.
Jackson witnessed an accident in his rear view
mirror as he was driving from Columbia headed toward Shaw
Air Force Base and immediately turned around. When he
arrived on the scene of the accident, Jackson provided care
to both the driver and passenger of the vehicle, applying a
make-shift tourniquet to one.
Jeremy Brunson, the
passenger in the accident, said the accident was caused by a
blown tire. The impact of the collision trapped his legs
under the dashboard, which severed his right leg below the
knee.
“I'm glad to be alive,” said Brunson. “I'm
getting around like nothing happened.”
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Jeremy Brunson (right) speaks to local
media about the details of his traffic accident and rescue by U.S.
Army Central Soldier, Sgt. 1st Class John M. Jackson, at the
conclusion of a ceremony honoring the Soldier's heroism at Patton
Hall, Dec. 19, 2014. Jackson received the Soldier's Medal at an
event which included USARCENT leadership and South Carolina state
leaders, in addition to an audience of fellow service members,
Department of the Army civilians and family members.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sharmain Burch)
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Jackson said he'd done what anyone would have if put in a similar situation.
"I really didn't feel it was that extraordinary as much as it was just a
matter of what we do as Soldiers," said Jackson. "It's what we are trained to
do, it's what we strive to do, to help others to do the right thing to live the
Army values."
Terry presented the Soldier's Medal to Jackson before an
audience of service members, Department of the Army civilians, family members
and special guests from across the South Carolina area.
Among those in
attendance was the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina John Y. McGill, South
Carolina Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, Bill Dukes and State Sen. J.
Thomas McElveen, III.
Terry reiterated that Jackson's actions epitomize
Soldier values and referred to Jackson as, “truly my hero.”
“I think that
it is important for all Soldiers to understand that you may not know when the
call for duty will happen but living the Soldier's values is what being a
Soldier is all about,” said Terry. “That's what keeps me young after 37 years in
the Army and I am proud of him as I am proud of all Soldiers that live the Army
values.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Sharmain Burch
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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