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.
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.
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."
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."
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