Ohio National Guard News
| Ohio Army National Guard Soldier awarded Ohio Cross |
Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Nancy McMillan ROCKBRIDGE, Ohio—Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, the Ohio adjutant general, awarded the Ohio Cross to Spc. Ryan H. Kilgour during a June 6 ceremony at Camp Wyandot. “My friend and I were driving along when we saw a lot of junk all over the road,” said the 32-year-old boiler maker from Jackson. “We then saw smoke, pulled over and got out of the car. At the bottom of this hill was an SUV upside down on its top and on fire.” Dressed in shorts and flip-flops, Kilgour raced down the hill, while his friend called 911, and pulled a dazed woman from her burning vehicle. When the police and ambulance arrived, the two men continued on their journey. “Ryan is a brave Soldier,” said Wayt before a gathering of Kilgour’s peers and family. “He and his friend could have kept going, but they stopped, and that decision saved a life.” The Ohio Cross, awarded to any Ohio military member who distinguishes him or herself by gallantry and selfless service at the risk of his or her life, must be presented by the governor or adjutant general. “This medal is a tremendous honor,” Kilgour said. “But any one of these Soldiers would have done the same thing.”
|
