Three servicemembers from 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, received a medal on Oct. 31 recognizing their outstanding actions during the rescue of a boater in April. The men were honored with the Soldier's Medal, an award given to those who display heroism and leadership in situations not involving enemies, reported Military Times.
Spc. Christopher L. Grant and Pvt. Trenton M. Brown were fishing in the Black River when they saw a canoe flip, sending a man and a woman crying out for help as they attempted to navigate the cold, rough waters. The two men tried to use a rope from their truck to pull the boaters in, but it fell short and they could see that the man was struggling to stay afloat, according to an Army report.
The servicemembers received backup when former lifeguard Pfc. Matthew M. Phillips arrived to help them. The Army reported that together, the three soldiers were able to secure a line strong enough to hold them as they all ventured into the almost-freezing waters. Phillips was able to secure the female victim and attach her to the line. The soldiers pulled her to the shore, got her warm clothes and waited for her to get proper medical attention. Unfortunately they were not able to save the male passenger, who perished in the accident.
"If I could have gotten to the man, I would have, but I just couldn't get to him," Phillips told the Army.
Grant currently works as a paralegal specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, while Brown is a hydraulic repair specialist with B Company, 277th Aviation Support Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Phillips is a cavalry Scout formerly assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.