(The Center Square) – Six soldiers in Georgia credited with deescalating a gunman’s attempt to do harm at Fort Stewart on Wednesday were awarded Meritorious Service Medals on Thursday by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
Two of the five soldiers shot remained hospitalized on Thursday, each stable. The other three were treated and released.
“The fast action of these soldiers under stress and under trauma and under fire absolutely saved lives from being lost,” he said.
Supply Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, a member of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry’s 2nd Armored Brigade, was taken into custody. His motives are unclear, Army officials say. A personal handgun was the weapon used.
Driscoll made the presentations to Sgt. Aaron Turner, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Eve Rodarte, 1st Sgt. Joshua Arnold and Sgt. Melissa Taylor.
Turner, unarmed, tackled Radford and was assisted by Thomas in helping restrain him. Pacheco, Rodarte, Arnold and Taylor helped the wounded.
Brig. Gen. John Lubas on Wednesday said, “The brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter, these soldiers without a doubt prevented further casualties.”
