U.S.
USO recognizes 7 service members for their heroic actions
Stars and Stripes
March 24, 2026
The 2026 USO Service Members of the Year are (top row, left to right): U.S. Army Captain Emily Malcom; U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Matthew Garcia; U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Hawthorne; (second row, left to right) U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Theodore Dudley; U.S. Space Force Master Sergeant David Gudgeon; U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Cody Dmochowski; Colorado National Guard Master Sergeant Jon Osterhout. (USO)
The USO recently announced its service members of the year, recognizing seven individuals who demonstrated heroic actions and selfless service.
Each year, command leadership from every military branch nominates service members for acts of bravery, many of which saved the lives of fellow service members and civilians in life-threatening situations.
A USO committee then selects the service members and invites them to an annual gala to formally celebrate their heroism.
This year’s service members of the year are:
Army Capt. Emily Malcom: On July 4, 2025, Malcom’s hometown of Kerrville, Texas, was devastated by catastrophic flash flooding which resulted in 100 deaths. She left her duty station at Fort Bliss, joined the local volunteer fire department, and worked alongside a search and rescue team to help lead recovery operations. Over the course of 180 hours, she navigated hazardous terrain and dangerous flood conditions to locate victims.
Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Garcia: Garcia rescued a fellow Marine who was suddenly overtaken by heavy surf and rip currents more than 50 yards from shore. He stabilized the Marine and brought him safely to shore before lifeguards could arrive on the scene.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Hawthorne: Hawthorne led an underwater recovery mission in Lithuania after an armored vehicle became submerged, resulting in the deaths of four service members. Over several days of 24-hour operations, he and his team operated in hazardous conditions, including zero-visibility waters, risks of entrapment and environmental poisoning.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Theodore Dudley: Dudley led children, several families and five elders to safety after his apartment caught fire and filled with smoke. He then re-entered the building to ensure no one remained inside. Dudley also notified police about suspicious behavior he observed from a non-resident nearby during the evacuation, along with evidence recovered at the scene, resulting in the apprehension of a the suspected arsonist. Dudley helped save 14 lives.
Space Force Master Sgt. David Gudgeon: Gudgeon demonstrated life-saving actions during two separate medical emergencies. During the first incident, Gudgeon reacted immediately when a recruit began choking. He quickly and successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver, allowing the recruit to resume training. In the second incident, Gudgeon triaged two unconscious trainees until medical professionals arrived.
Coast Guard Yeoman 2nd Class Cody Dmochowski: Dmochowski saved the life of an individual who had been thrown from their motorcycle into a heavily wooded area. He found the victim suffering from severe injuries and significant blood loss, and rendered aid. He also assessed the victim’s condition and relayed the information to emergency dispatch.
National Guard Master Sgt. Jon Osterhout: Osterhout accepted a high-risk and short-notice deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in 2025. He led a 585-member maintenance team under constant missile threat and drove 14,500 maintenance actions, which enabled 2,500 combat sorties, 29 aerial victories, and 671 guided munitions. The effort helped reduce regional missile attacks by 87%.