Airman recognized for bravery off-base

Charles Zuckerman

Many military members earn medals for their bravery and heroism on the battlefield or base, but these honorable qualities do not stop once they take off their uniforms. Lieutenant Colonel Doug Edwards is the most recent example of this. The Scott AFB resident was recently awarded The Airman's Medal for his act of heroism while in the midst of a move from Joint Base Lewis McChord.

While traveling with his wife and three children to their new base, Edwards said he saw smoke and soon arrived at the scene of a single-car crash, where an elderly female driver was trapped inside a smoking vehicle that had flames coming out of the engine.

Once he approached, he realized the driver was alone and that her legs were likely trapped under the dashboard, and the doors were jammed shut. As a small crowd formed, Edwards tried to take command and coordinate rescue efforts, he said.

Joining with another young man, he pulled the door off its hinges so he could communicate with the driver to free her from the vehicle, which was engulfed in flames.

"It was a complex set of circumstances that put us on that road at the right time," Edwards said. "I feel honored to be receiving attention for doing what, at the time, felt very natural and necessary."

He was awarded the medal at a small ceremony at Scott AFB, where Lieutenant General Mark Ramsay, 18th Air Force commander, presented the medal and commended him for his actions and heroism.
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