FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Fort Jackson commanding general presented the Soldier's Medal for heroism -- the highest medal awarded in peace time -- to a noncommissioned officer from Moncrief Army Community Hospital Jan. 31 at the Officers' Club.
Brig. Gen. Bradly Becker, Fort Jackson commanding general, awarded the medal to Sgt. Dylan Miller, a health care NCO at the McWethy Troop Medical clinic, because of his actions in May 2013, which potentially saved a fellow motorist life.
"I was on my way back to Fort Jackson around 10:30 p.m. when I noticed the driver in front of me seemed to be impaired and was weaving on I-95," Millier said. "I dialed 911 and reported the driver to the operator because others on the road could have been in harm's way. Ten miles later, the female driver went around a curve, never straightened up and ran off the interstate. She drove off a 30-foot embankment went about 100 meters and hit a tree."
After the initial shock of what he encountered Miller sprang into action to help the injured motorist.
"At first I was in disbelief, then my professional training kicked in and I dialed 911 again to let (the operators) know that the driver had crashed and gave them our location. I also let them know I was an Army medic and I was going to help the driver. After that I grabbed my aide's bag and went to assist the lady in the car."
Miller said the driver was unconscious when he got to her but proceeded to provide medical attention.
"When got down the hill, the lady was unresponsive and bleeding," he said. "I placed a c-collar around her neck and put a pressure dressing on her arm. I managed to stop the bleeding and then she came around and started responding to me. From that point on I kept talking to her and she asked questions until the paramedics arrived."
Miller monitored the driver for approximately 25 minutes until law enforcement and emergency medical services arrived on the scene.
For some, Miller being awarded the Soldier's Medal isn't hard to believe.
"Miller is an outstanding and motivated Soldier," said Maj. Matthew Hanna, the officer in charge of the TMC. "He always goes the extra step to assist his fellow Soldiers."
Hanna said having Miller, a member of his team, awarded the medal is special.
"It's a great feeling -- and we feel it's awesome that one of our own was recognized for a heroic act here at home," Hanna said.
Miller has been in the military for 11 years and is a native of Daytona Beach, Fla. He also has two deployments to Iraq. He said he now understands why knowing what to do off the battlefield is just as important as knowing what to do in the war zone.
"I have treated a lot of service members on the battlefield," Miller said. "But this was the first time that I've had to assist a civilian in this capacity. There is no difference. Whenever someone needs help, you knowing your job could save their life."
Becker expressed how essential it is take all of your training seriously.
"In my 28 years of service I've only witnessed three of these medals being awarded," Becker said. "Two of them happened right here, so don't let it be said great things aren't happening at Fort Jackson."
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