BALTIMORE, Md. - The Maryland National Guard today announced that one of its members has been awarded the Maryland Medal for Valor for heroic actions at the scene of a traffic accident on June 9.
Maj. Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill, the adjutant general of Maryland, and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Maryland Turhan Robinson presented the award to 1st Lt. Amy L. Matthews of Cambridge, Md., at a ceremony yesterday.
"It really is a credit to this soldier and her ability to remain calm and focused in the face of such an emergency is a military quality we can all strive to emulate," Tuxill said. "This just underscores the selfless dedication of the men and women of the Maryland National Guard."
Matthews, who previously served in Iraq as a combat medic with the Maryland Army National Guard"™s 115th Military Police Battalion, is a clinical nurse assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters Medical Detachment at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Md.
The award citation reads: "For an extraordinary act of valor above and beyond the normal call of duty. On 9 June 2007, a fatal automobile accident occurred on state Route 50 near Easton, Md. 1st Lt. Matthews, who was traveling on the same highway at the time, immediately stopped and rendered vital assistance. Without regard for her own personal safety, she immediately took control of the situation, administered medical attention to those seriously injured and kept everyone at the situation calm. 1st Lt. Matthews' courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Citizen-Soldier and reflect great credit on her, the Maryland National Guard and the State of Maryland." The Maryland Medal for Valor is the second-highest state award that a member of the Maryland National Guard can earn. It is presented for acts of heroism clearly beyond what might have reasonably been expected under the circumstances. The act of heroism must have been voluntary and placed the nominee in personal jeopardy.
- Three BSC officers selected from three considered.