An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 15, 2020

Tennessee Guardsman receives Soldier's Medal for heroism

By Tennessee National Guard

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee presented the Soldier’s Medal to Tennessee National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Shields July 10 at the Wyatt Duke Armory.

Shields, a 24-year veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard, acted heroically when shots were fired in a parking lot following a high school football game on Oct. 8, 2018. A fight had broken out after the game and a teenager opened fire, striking two people.

Shields, a member of Detachment 1, 1175th Transportation Company, disarmed and restrained the shooter until law enforcement arrived.

“I just grabbed his hand and fell to the ground with him,” said Shields. “I didn’t want anybody to take the gun, so I held him there until police arrived.”

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the armed forces who distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving conflict with an enemy while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army. The decoration was established in 1926 to recognize acts of bravery during peacetime.

“Sgt. 1st Class Shields’ actions are a validation of not only his training but a validation of his character,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s adjutant general. “He exhibited the courage that every Soldier is trained to exhibit and aspires to achieve. He fully encompasses all of the Army and is such a positive example to all of us. He acted with great instincts and his impressive act of courage and bravery saved countless lives that day. We are truly proud of him and his selfless service.”

Lee, Holmes, and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony, one that Shields said he won’t soon forget.

“I just did what I thought anybody else would’ve done in my situation,” said Shields. “But for the governor and adjutant general and everyone to be here, it’s truly humbling, and I’m thankful for everyone here today.”

 

 

Related Articles
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion delivers water with a Helicopter Bucket to fight a wildfire near Turtletown, in Polk County, April 15. Helicopter Buckets are used to provide hundreds of gallons of water from local area water sources to combat wildfires.
Tennessee Guardsmen Respond to Polk County Wildfire
By | April 15, 2025
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Army National Guard provided two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion today to support a wildfire response in Polk County, at the request of the...

Sgt. 1st Class John Sharbel, with the Tennessee Army National Guard, and an injured hiker are hoisted into a hovering UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, March 22, 2025.
Tennessee National Guard Rescues Great Smoky Mountains Hiker
By Tennessee National Guard | March 25, 2025
LOUISVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew based at Joint Base McGhee-Tyson rescued an injured hiker in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park March 22. Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, the...

U.S. Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Steven Turner, Tennessee's assistant adjutant gGeneral, salutes the tomb of former President Andrew Jackson on what would have been his 258th birthday at The Hermitage March 15, 2025. Every year a wreath is placed at the tomb of the seventh president of the United States, honoring his service to his country and celebrating his life.
Tennessee Guard Honors Former President Andrew Jackson
By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, | March 25, 2025
HERMITAGE, Tenn. – Brig. Gen. Steven Turner, Tennessee’s assistant adjutant general-Army, placed a wreath at former President Andrew Jackson’s tomb March 15 on what would have been his 258th birthday.Turner spoke about the...