88th RSC Army Reserve military technician presented the Civilian Humanitarian Service Medal for actions preventing double homicide

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | Maj. Gen. Karen LeDoux, commanding general of the 88th Regional Support Command, presents Army Reserve Military Technician Kurt St. Martin with the Civilian Humanitarian Service Medal during a special ceremony at the Milwaukee U.S. Army Reserve Center, Dec. 2, for his selfless actions taken to save a woman’s life and enabled police to immediately apprehend the man who had just murdered her 11-month-old child. “Mr. St. Martin may say he just did what anyone would do, but in truth not everyone steps up in a time of need,” said Ledoux “That is why we are here to honor him and why we celebrate his example of courage and action.”  

MILWAUKEE, WI, UNITED STATES

12.02.2015

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal 

88th Readiness Division

MILWAUKEE - Army Reserve military technician Kurt St. Martin was awarded the Civilian Humanitarian Service Medal during a special ceremony at the Milwaukee U.S. Army Reserve Center, Dec. 2, for his selfless actions taken to save a woman’s life and enabled police to immediately apprehend the man who had just murdered her 11-month-old child.

“Nov. 18, 2014, still resonates with me and my family,” said St. Martin during the ceremony. “In my mind I did nothing extraordinary that night. I am very happy I was able to help April and wish I could have saved Serenity.”

On that night last year, St. Martin responded to the cries of a woman screaming for help as she and her child were being brutally assaulted by a man. Without regard to his own safety, St. Martin ran from his home to the screams and stopped the attack by tackling the assailant to the ground. The assailant then fled to an apartment while St. Martin went to the aid of the woman, helped her stand and gather up her lifeless child. Upon the arrival of his wife Jessica, St. Martin went on to make sure the man did not escape the apartment, ensuring his immediate capture by police.

“Mr. St. Martin may say he just did what anyone would do, but in truth not everyone steps up in a time of need,” said Maj. Gen. Karen LeDoux, commanding general of the 88th Regional Support Command. “That is why we are here to honor him and why we celebrate his example of courage and action.”

In addition to the actions taken on that night, LeDoux also spoke to the actions of Kurt and Jessica St. Martin for the past year.

“Kurt and Jessica did not simply go back to their lives or just do their best to forget a night which any of us would want to forget,” said LeDoux. “For the past year they have been with April to help, to listen, to console, to be a part of her life.”

St. Martin currently serves as an Army Reserve Civilian working at the 88th RSC’s Army Maintenance Support Activity in Milwaukee. He also serves in the Army Reserve as a non-commissioned officer assigned to the 75th Training Command.

“I feel like I did no more than any one of you would have done,” said St. Martin. “I helped a person in need and am proud to have helped bring this man to justice. I am proud as an NCO in the Army Reserve, I am proud as a citizen and Citizen-Soldier.”

LeDoux said St. Martin’s bravery in the face of unknown danger is an example for us all to follow and embody our best ideals of personal courage, duty and selfless service.

“These are the actions of true heroes and neighbors,” said LeDoux. “They give us hope and strength. They embody what it truly means to be a Citizen-Soldier.”

• Date Taken: 12.02.2015
• Date Posted: 12.03.2015 10:51
• Story ID: 183367
• Location: MILWAUKEE, WI, US