Photo By Sgt. Bailey Kramer | Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi (left), commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, presents...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers’ acts of heroism don't only occur during combat-related events, and in 1922 the War Department determined that acts of bravery should be recognized during times of peace.
This led to Congress establishing an award, the Soldier's Medal, to recognize heroic service members who go above and beyond to help others during peacetime.
One former Soldier of the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was recognized, Sept. 11 for going above the call of duty during an apartment fire.
Jeremey Pelletier, a former fire support sergeant, previously assigned to the 2nd “Lancer” Battalion of the Ironhorse Brigade, received the award after saving the lives of 26 individuals.
"We are amidst a bonafide hero," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, the commanding general of the 1st Cav. Div., during his remarks at Pelletier's ceremony.
Shortly after arriving home in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2012, Pelletier heard the sound of breaking glass outside his apartment. Upon investigation, he saw smoke pouring from his neighboring unit.
After helping his neighbor's daughter exit the apartment safely, Pelletier began warning residents of neighboring apartments to quickly evacuate the premises.
"It was instinctual," Pelletier said about his actions. "I had actually just started eating dinner. I didn't notice it until afterwards, but I still had a chicken bone in my mouth when it was all said and done."
Residents said Pelletier notified police and the fire department, then started kicking in doors, encouraging tenants to immediately exit the building.
Pelletier, a native of Kalamazoo, Mich., has deployed three times with the Ironhorse Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and credits his actions during the fire to his military training.
"It wasn't something I had to think about doing," Pelletier said. "I only reacted."
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2013 12:08 |
| Story ID: | 113829 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 411 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Former Lancer receives Soldier’s Medal, by SGT Bailey Kramer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
