Heroes Who Tackled Alleged Fort Stewart Shooter Honored by Army Secretary: ‘Absolutely Saved Lives’

By The Blogging Hounds On Wednesday, chaos erupted at Fort Stewart, Georgia, when 28-year active-duty Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford allegedly opened fire, wounding five people. What could have become a far greater tragedy was cut short in seconds — thanks to the swift, selfless actions of fellow soldiers who tackled the shooter and stopped the…

By The Blogging Hounds

On Wednesday, chaos erupted at Fort Stewart, Georgia, when 28-year active-duty Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford allegedly opened fire, wounding five people. What could have become a far greater tragedy was cut short in seconds — thanks to the swift, selfless actions of fellow soldiers who tackled the shooter and stopped the rampage cold.

Unarmed but Unflinching
Brigadier General John Lubas, addressing the press after the incident, left no doubt about the stakes. “Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately, and without hesitation, tackled the soldier, subdued him, and allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody,” he said. “They prevented untold additional violence.”

In those first seconds, the soldiers weren’t thinking about medals or recognition — they were thinking about saving lives. With no weapons in hand, they charged a man who had already opened fire on their comrades.

Presidential Praise for ‘The Best Among Us’
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Donald Trump, praised the six soldiers as living embodiments of courage.

“I, and the administration, and President Trump could not be more proud of them,” Driscoll said. “They are everything that is good about this nation. They are the best among us in our country; they are the best among us in the Army.”

The Honored Six
The soldiers — First Sgt. Joshua Arnold, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Aaron Turner, and Sgt. Eve Rodarte — were awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on Thursday at Fort Stewart. All are assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

During the ceremony, Driscoll described in detail the heroics that unfolded in those tense moments:

One soldier tackled the shooter head-on, fully aware the assailant was armed and actively firing on his fellow soldiers.
Another soldier jumped on top to ensure the suspect could not regain his weapon or freedom.
The remaining soldiers sprang into medical response mode, applying years of training to treat the wounded. Their quick action meshed seamlessly with local hospitals — which, providentially, had just completed a mass casualty exercise.

Courage in the Face of Gunfire
Driscoll’s remarks made clear just how narrow the margin was between five wounded and potentially dozens dead. “One of the soldiers tackled the person…so just think about this…they were unarmed and ran and tackled an armed person who they knew was actively shooting their buddies,” he said. “Another soldier jumped on top of the person to subdue them until federal law enforcement was able to arrive.”

These acts of valor did not just stop a shooter; they embodied the Army’s creed — to never accept defeat, never quit, and never leave a fallen comrade.

A Reminder of the Burden Carried by the Few
In an era when the public often hears about military scandals or bureaucratic failures, this moment cut through the noise. It was a raw, unfiltered example of the kind of character that keeps the United States safe — not just in combat zones abroad, but in the unexpected battles at home.

President Trump has already signaled that these soldiers’ names will be added to the annals of peacetime heroism. Their split-second bravery serves as a reminder: while evil may strike without warning, it will always meet resistance in the hearts of those willing to lay everything on the line.

Enjoying Our Content? Help Keep It Going!
When you shop through one of our hand-picked affiliate links below , you’re directly supporting this blog. We’re truly grateful for your support!