Army
Colorado Army National Guard soldier awarded Army’s highest non-combat medal for heroism
Stars and Stripes
July 13, 2025
1st Class Robert F. Cruz, 8th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Colorado Army National Guard, is awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in an official ceremony at the Colorado Freedom Memorial, Aurora, Colo., July 9, 2025. (Colorado National Guard Public Affairs)
A soldier of the Colorado Army National Guard was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism after rescuing a driver involved in a multi-car crash.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Cruz, 8th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, received the medal during a ceremony at the Colorado Freedom Memorial, Aurora, Colo., on Wednesday, according to a service news release.
“Sgt. 1st Class Cruz’s heroic action which saved a man’s life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army,” said Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, who presided over the ceremony and presented the award to Cruz. “I’m proud to serve with Robert in the Colorado Army National Guard.”
The Soldier’s Medal is the highest Army award for acts of heroism in a non-combat situation.
On Aug. 23, 2023, Cruz was driving home from work when he witnessed an accident involving four vehicles. One vehicle veered off the road trying to avoid an initial collision with the other two vehicles, then rolled several times into oncoming traffic and collided with a fourth vehicle.
The rolled vehicle burst into flames, and Cruz immediately moved to the burning vehicle, risking his own safety, and found the driver unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. He then moved the unconscious driver to safety and waited until first responders arrived.