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 | Aug. 24, 2023

Maryland Guard Soldier Recognized for Off-duty Water Rescue

By 1st. Lt. Dylan Bradford, Maryland National Guard

PHOENIX, Ariz. – A Maryland Army National Guardsman was honored for rescuing a boy who fell into the Salt River while the Soldier was attending training at the Western Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS) in Red Rock, Arizona.

Staff Sgt. Charles Brauning, assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment of the 29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, was awarded an Army Achievement Medal by WAATS leadership for his quick response that saved the boy from drowning during an off-duty trip.

On June 17, Brauning and his classmates from the Senior Leaders Course at WAATS were enjoying a class morale trip tubing down the Salt River. While on the river, Brauning became separated from the group when he noticed a 10-year-old boy fall into the rapidly moving water.

Once the boy lost his footing on the rocks, the current carried him downriver, and at times he was completely submerged. His family was ashore and too distant to reach him.

Without hesitation, Brauning left his inner tube and swam to the boy, pulling him from the current and helping him return to his family. 

According to the award citation, his quick action prevented the situation from escalating into a more serious emergency.

Brauning, a full-time aviation technician at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, credits his response to his civilian training as a volunteer firefighter with the Carroll County Fire Department.

“I don’t really know how to describe it; it’s just instinct,” said Brauning. “As a fireman, when you get the call, you jump on a rig and roll out the door. I think that kind of experience was a factor in helping this person once I realized they were in distress.”

The boy was shaken and afraid but otherwise unharmed, and his family was grateful for the assistance. Everything happened so fast that Brauning’s classmates didn’t even notice he was missing until he caught back up to them.

“Situational awareness is important because someone can drown in a few inches of water, especially a young kid,” said Brauning. “It’s just common human decency to help someone in need.”

Brauning’s leadership in Maryland also recognized his efforts.

“Everyday Staff Sgt. Brauning shows his exemplary character, selfless service and quick thinking,” said Maryland Army National Guard Capt. Rachel Mazzone, commander of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment. “These qualities were reflected in his heroic actions while away at training. I am extremely honored and proud to have him as a Soldier and leader in our unit.”
 

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Steven Lucas, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter standardization instructor with F Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, performs rescue hoist operations aboard a Black Hawk in collaboration with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9, 2025. MD-HART is made up of firefighters who routinely train with the Maryland Army Guard in preparation for response efforts during the hurricane season, tropical storms, and other emergency situations.
Maryland National Guard conducts rescue hoist training with Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team
By Staff Sgt. Amber Peck, | April 18, 2025
EDGEWOOD, Md. — Soldiers with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard conducted rescue hoist training with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9...

Spc. Daniel Reading, an infantryman with the Maryland Army National Guard’s D Company, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, secures an area during the tactical combat casualty care event at the Army National Guard’s 2022 Best Warrior Competition at Volunteer Training Site-Milan, Tennessee, July 26, 2022.
‘Keep Truckin’: Army National Guard Finds its Best Warriors
By Air Force Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith, | Aug. 1, 2022
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – Right before a rope climb, Sgt. Tyler Holloway, a fire support specialist with the Wyoming Army National Guard’s 115th Field Artillery Brigade, decided to add some levity to what otherwise might have been a...

A member of the 169th Cyber Protection Team and members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina conduct cyber adversarial exercises at the Pvt. Henry Costin Readiness Center in Laurel, Maryland, June 29, 2022. The Maryland National Guard and the Armed Forces Bosnia and Herzegovina have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 2003.
Maryland National Guard, European Partners Protect Network Security
By Sgt. Thomas Lamb | July 15, 2022
LAUREL, Md. - The Maryland Army National Guard’s 169th Cyber Protection Team, Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Operation Support Squadron and members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) participated in a...