by Patrick Buffett | Army.mil
Soldier Saves Three, Receives Highest Non-combat Award
FORT MONROE, Va. (Army News Service, July 26, 2010) — A Virginia Army National Guard Soldier serving an active-duty tour with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command was awarded the Soldier’s Medal at Fort Monroe July 23 for his actions that resulted in saving the lives of three men following a boating accident in the Chesapeake Bay.
Lt. Gen. John E. Sterling, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Army TRADOC, presented Chief Warrant Officer Clifford Bauman the medal during a presentation ceremony attended by Bauman’s wife, father, and friends and coworkers at Morelli Auditorium on the Hampton base.
“This is a very auspicious occasion. This is my first-ever opportunity to participate in an award ceremony for the Soldier’s Medal,” Sterling said. “It’s a big event. It’s a very significant event, and we need to take notice of it.”
The Army has many awards and medals it bestows upon Soldiers for heroism during battle and many recognizing Soldiers for outstanding work performed in the field and in garrison, but the Soldier’s Medal is the highest award a Soldier can receive for heroism not directly related to combat.
“We have lots of awards for and recognitions that we do for valor in the face of the enemy, but from time-to-time there is an opportunity for a Soldier to use the skills that he has … in a life-saving event that doesn’t necessarily involve actions in front of the enemy,” Sterling said.
Bauman was heralded for his swift actions that saved three men Oct. 3, 2009. Although one man died at the scene, Bauman’s quick action and years of Army training gave him the tools he needed to save the other three men.