BELGRADE, Mont. — U.S. Army Sgt. Adam M. Lee received the Soldier’s Medal during a ceremony at the Belgrade Armory Aug. 16 for heroic actions that saved the lives of two critically injured hikers in California.
Brig. Gen. Trenton J. Gibson, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, presented the award to Lee, a combat medic specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment.
Lee earned the Soldier’s Medal for his actions while volunteering as a life flight paramedic during the rescue of two hikers near Tahquitz Rock in Idyllwild, California, March 1, 2025.
The hikers had fallen approximately 800 feet from a trail and were stranded in steep, hazardous terrain. Both required urgent medical attention, a technical rope rescue and helicopter extraction.
Subfreezing temperatures, snow, ice and an approaching winter storm complicated the rescue and prevented aviation assets from inserting rescue personnel. Lee and members of the rescue team instead entered the area on foot through increasingly hazardous conditions. Some members of the team were forced to turn back.
After locating the hikers in darkness early March 2, Lee volunteered to rappel into the dangerous fall zone to reach them.
Lee assessed both patients and determined they were suffering from multiple serious injuries, including facial, pelvic and spinal fractures, frostbite and severe hypothermia. The hikers had been exposed to the elements for approximately 12 hours without adequate cold-weather gear or shelter.
Lee administered warm IV fluids and applied core-rewarming techniques to stabilize the patients, helping sustain them through a rescue operation that ultimately stretched more than 48 hours.
As conditions deteriorated, Lee continued to provide medical treatment while assisting with the technical rope rescue system required to move the patients. During the operation, he used his own body to shield the injured hikers from falling ice and rocks, placing himself at risk of injury.
The extreme conditions also began taking a toll on other members of the rescue team. Lee recognized signs of exhaustion, confusion and hypothermia among fellow rescuers, requiring them to be removed from the operation for medical attention. Lee assumed additional responsibilities to allow the rescue to continue.
Rescuers eventually moved the patients hundreds of feet uphill to a higher elevation suitable for helicopter extraction, but worsening weather delayed their evacuation for two days. Lee remained with the patients, continuing to monitor their conditions and provide care until they could be safely evacuated.
During the ceremony, Gibson said Lee’s actions represented the qualities of Montana Guardsmen and embodied his command philosophy, “The Montana Way.”
“Sergeant Lee, you are the standard,” Gibson said. “You proved that when the conditions were at their worst, you were the one on the way and you were at your best. You have lived the Citizen-Soldier ethos, and you have lived ‘The Montana Way.’”
Gibson described “The Montana Way” as a commitment to the rugged tenacity woven into Montana’s history and the willingness to step forward when circumstances are at their worst.
“Sergeant Lee, your actions embody that way of life to the fullest,” Gibson said. “You did not perform these duties in hopes of receiving a medal, or having someone thank you. You did what you did because it needed to be done.”
Gibson also credited Lee’s military and civilian training and the time he dedicated to preparing himself physically and mentally with helping ensure he was ready when the rescue team and patients needed him.
“Our Montana National Guard is fortunate to have someone like you who takes the responsibility of protecting and defending our citizens seriously, and those on the mountain that day were lucky to have you there in their worst moments and their time of need,” Gibson said.
Lee continues to serve both his state and community and is pursuing a career as a physician assistant.
The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to Soldiers who distinguish themselves through heroism not involving conflict with an enemy. The award recognizes heroism involving personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of one’s life.
Lee’s award narrative credits his resilience, adaptability and decisive leadership with overcoming limited personnel, communication failures, hazardous weather and repeated helicopter delays throughout the rescue. According to the narrative, Lee’s direct assistance and willingness to risk his own life were critical to the survival of both hikers.