‘You Saved Lives’: Army Honors Soldiers Who Subdued Fort Stewart Shooting Suspect

The U.S. Army on Thursday honored six unarmed soldiers who tackled an alleged gunman during a shooting at Fort Stewart, crediting them with saving lives under fire.

Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll awarded the Meritorious Service Medal to First Sgt. Joshua Arnold, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Melissa Taylor, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Aaron Turner and Sgt. Eve Rodarte for subduing the suspect and aiding the wounded, according to ABC News. (RELATED: REPORT: Man Calls Cops To His Door, Charges Them With Sword)

“They embody everything that is good about the American soldier,” Driscoll said. “Under duress and fire, they ran into battle to the sound of the gunfire, took down the assailant and then took care of their comrades, and that made all the difference.”

Driscoll told the soldiers that medical staff credited them with saving lives.

“Very sincerely, I can pass along to you, directly from the doctors, you saved lives yesterday, and we are so grateful for what you did,” he said. “I know that what you’re going through is awful, but we are so proud of you, we love you and we will stand by you and there’s no words that can express how grateful we are for you.”

Master Sgt. Thomas and Sgt. Turner were recognized for restraining the gunman, while other honorees were awarded for rendering aid to the wounded, the outlet reported.

“Once the shooter was identified and the threat was identified, we had soldiers that immediately raced and tackled that soldier, wrestled the gun away, subdued him,” Brig. Gen. John Lubas said. “Simultaneously, no one hesitated, mostly these soldiers behind me and others in the crowd immediately started applying first aid.”

“These Soldiers saved lives.”

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the @3rd_Infantry, praised the Soldiers who subdued the gunman and administered first aid during the Fort Stewart shooting on August 6, 2025. pic.twitter.com/Uhk4qVodhM

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) August 7, 2025

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to U.S. service members who distinguish themselves through exceptional service or achievement.

Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant, allegedly opened fire Wednesday at Fort Stewart, wounding five soldiers. All are expected to recover, according to USA Today.

Radford was taken into custody after being subdued by fellow troops.

Fort Stewart, located in Hinesville, Georgia, is one of the Army’s primary armored training and deployment hubs.