Two Fort Sill Soldiers recognized as lifesavers

By Fort Sill Tribune staffDecember 6, 2018

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FCoE and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. John Foley congratulates Spcs. Jordan Bagwell and Lance Cox, both of 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, for saving the life of an elderly woman who had fallen. He presented them with his coin of excellence Nov. 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spcs. Lance Cox and Jordan Bagwell, both of 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, were recognized by the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill command sergeant major for saving the life of an elderly woman. They received the CSM's coin of excellence... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Dec. 6, 2018) -- Two Soldiers from A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, received recognition as heroes after assisting an elderly woman who had fallen at a local public storage facility about one month ago.

Spcs. Lance Cox and Jordan Bagwell were honored by Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. John Foley, Nov. 26, in front of hundreds of their fellow Soldiers at Rowe Field here.

Bagwell said it was about 8:45 p.m. when he and Cox were putting away some of their hunting gear at a storage facility off 38th Street. They heard cries of help coming from an elderly woman, who said she had fallen, bumped her head on the asphalt, broke her hip, and that she couldn't get up. She was next to her car, which was still running.

They quickly assessed her situation.

Bagwell directed Cox to call 911, while he covered the victim with a jacket, he said.

"It was cold about, 23 degrees," Cox said. "She could have froze."

They reassured her and kept her calm, while waiting for paramedics to arrive. They learned the woman was 79, and her name was Shirley, Bagwell said.

At the presentation ceremony, Foley said that the responding paramedics cited Cox and Bagwell's extraordinary actions for saving the woman's life.

"This is what we do as Soldiers, and as individuals; we help people," Foley said. "Your training, your Army values of putting others first, helped save a life."

He congratulated the Soldiers and presented them with his coin of excellence.

Col. Steven Carpenter, 75th Field Artillery Brigade commander, said his Soldiers' actions are not uncommon.

"During that same week, we had another Soldier who noticed a child, on the way to school, was having trouble breathing," he said. "When the Soldier found out that the child had ingested some peanuts and had an allergic reaction, he got him aid immediately."

Fortunately, Cox and Bagwell had completed Combat Lifesaver training.

Cox's advice to others if they encounter a similar situation is to take out your phone to call for help, and not to shoot a video.

Bagwell said he didn't believe he did anything special.

"Always take care of your battle buddies, and always take care of civilians," he said.

Cox said he learned that he and Bagwell are being recommended for an Army medal.