Six soldiers awarded for heroic actions in stopping Fort Stewart shooter

Six soldiers were honored Thursday with the Meritorious Service Medal for their swift and courageous response to an active shooter who wounded five service members at Fort Stewart in Georgia on Wednesday.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll presented the medals to Sgt. Aaron Turner, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Eve Rodarte, 1st Sgt. Joshua Arnold, and Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, in recognition of their actions that stopped the shooter and prevented further harm.

“The fast action of these soldiers under stress, trauma, and fire absolutely saved lives,” Driscoll said during a press conference. “They embody everything that is good about this nation.”

Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, allegedly opened fire with a personal handgun, prohibited on base, wounding five fellow soldiers Wednesday morning at Fort Stewart, home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and one of the nation’s largest military installations.

According to Task & Purpose, all five injured soldiers are expected to recover. Three have been released from the hospital, while one remains at Winn Army Community Hospital on base, and another is receiving care at Savannah Memorial Community Hospital.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as officials continue their investigation.

According to accounts, Sgt. Aaron Turner tackled the shooter despite being unarmed, stopping further violence. Turner, who has been stationed at Fort Stewart for less than a year as an automated logistical specialist, showed exceptional bravery in confronting the attacker.

Master Sgt. Justin Thomas helped restrain Radford until law enforcement arrived. Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco and Sgt. Eve Rodarte, both combat medics, administered critical medical aid to the wounded, while 1st Sgt. Joshua Arnold applied life-saving first aid to staunch bleeding. Sgt. Melissa Taylor secured the scene for emergency responders.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, commended the soldiers’ quick actions. “They ran toward the sound of gunfire, subdued the assailant, and then took care of their comrades,” Lubas said. “Their efforts unquestionably saved lives.”

Driscoll echoed the praise, calling the group “the best among us in the Army” who acted exactly as hoped during such a crisis.

Radford, who enlisted in 2018 and served as a supply sergeant without prior deployments, is in pretrial confinement awaiting military charges. Army Criminal Investigation Division agents continue processing evidence, including digital and forensic materials.

Counseling services have been made available to soldiers on base to help them process the traumatic event. “We’ll be watching closely and wrapping our arms around them,” Lubas said. “Our medical teams and soldiers responded exactly as trained, and now it’s our duty to care for everyone moving forward.”