Photo By Lt. Col. Tambra West | The 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, commanded by Lt. Col. Weslie Porter, hosted...... read more read more
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The 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, commanded by Lt. Col. Weslie Porter, hosted an awards ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at the St. George Armory to recognize the heroism of Soldiers whose actions reflected courage, compassion and commitment to others in response to a serious highway crash on Interstate 15. Col. Andrew Owens, Utah Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, presented the awards during the ceremony, along with one award being accepted posthumously by the Soldier’s family.
Spc. Hunter Kelly and Spc. Robert Shields were awarded the Utah Cross for heroism. Chaplain Brent Black also received the Utah Commendation Medal for meritorious service in a separate ceremony.
On Aug. 22, 2025, Kelly and Shields were traveling to Camp Williams for unit training events when they encountered a severe collision involving a passenger car that was lodged beneath a semi-truck trailer on I-15. Shields arrived first to the scene, where he quickly assessed multiple casualties, identified life-threatening injuries, extracted additional victims from the wreckage, tended to their wounds, and helped stabilize the scene until emergency responders arrived.
Upon arrival, Kelly moved promptly to render aid without hesitation and applied a lifesaving tourniquet to a 16-year-old with significant arterial bleeding. After observing a car accident two weeks prior, Kelly was prepared, as he had been inspired to carry his IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), which includes a tourniquet, in his vehicle to be prepared for situations like the one he encountered that day. His calm actions under intense pressure were critical to saving lives at the scene.
There is a core expectation of military service that members uphold their duties and obligations both on and off duty. The selfless actions, along with the learned military skills of these individuals, demonstrate the power of connection that Guardsmen have to fulfill their duty and obligations not just in uniform, but the promise to uphold the same outside of uniform to serve our communities, state, and nation.
“Shields and Kelly embody the finest traditions of the 213th,” said Col. Owens during the ceremony, ”Honoring a legacy forged by the 400 Soldiers who held the line at the Battle of Gapyeong. When a member of our community needed help, they answered without hesitation—precisely what Guard members are trained to do. Whether called upon on the nation's, the state's, or an individual citizen's worst day, Utah Guardsmen stand ready. Shields and Kelly represent the absolute epitome of professionalism and heroism in the Utah National Guard."
In addition to the immediate life-saving actions performed, Chaplain Black received the Utah Commendation Medal at a separate ceremony for supporting a distressed mother and her infant during the aftermath of the crash. He provided emotional and spiritual support under chaotic conditions and helped ensure the mother and child remained safe and reassured.
Spc. Shields’ award was presented posthumously to his mother Heidi Shields, father Robert Shields, and sister Bailee Shields. Shields died in a later unrelated car accident. Chaplain Black has continued to provide comfort and chaplain services to the family since Kelly’s death, including officiating the funeral and escorting the family during the award ceremony.
The ceremony and recognition of these citizen Soldiers highlight the values of service before self and the willingness of Utah Army National Guard Soldiers to act decisively in support of their communities, even while off mission and faced with a dangerous, fast-moving emergency.
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2026 15:20 |
| Story ID: | 574642 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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