Staff Sergeant (SSG) Michael Byers awarded Soldiers Medal

[JPL]

Found this interesting article:

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Michael Byers, a local soldier from Diamond will receive the Soldier’s Medal for life saving heroics during an EF5 tornado that struck Joplin on May, 2011. According to 1st Lt. Jim Avery: "Just minutes after an EF5 tornado struck Joplin, SSG Byers along with his cousin, Brian Hamlet, responded to assist emergency responders. Risking life and limb, they came across rubble of what was once known as the Community Group Services, a local group home.It was there they found Mark Lindquist amongst the rubble. SSG Byers began rendering aid, utilizing first aid training he learned as a member of the Missouri Army National Guard. Mr. Lindquist had sustained life threatening injuries but due to SSG Byers’ quick reaction under perilous conditions, he directly contributed to saving Mr. Lindquist’s life. SSG Byers continued to assist throughout the evening, setting up a casualty collection point, administering first aid and other life saving measures that positively impacted numerous citizens of the Joplin community."

Read the complete article: http://www.joplinindependent.com/display_article.php/staff1374325553

Jean-Paul

[army historian]

Nice to see National Guard soldiers recognized for their actions - don't see this too often. Captain Albert