Minnesota National Guard Retired Service Member Saves Life, Awarded Medal
MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Release
March 27, 2024
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Friday, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Meagher will be awarded the Soldiers Medal for his heroic rescue of a man who fell through the ice while ice fishing in the winter of 2022.
“Sgt. 1st Class Meagher’s actions were not only an example of personal courage and selfless service, but his quick and heroic decision to save this man’s life had a generational impact,” said Army Col. Jesse Johnson, Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics for the Minnesota National Guard. “His actions created a bond between Meagher and the Schmidt family that will last beyond their lifetime. His personal efforts on that day are the perfect example of what being a service member in the Minnesota National Guard means: to serve our community members and to always be ready.”
On December 5, 2022, while ice fishing on Swan Lake, Meagher heard something and quickly looked outside his portable fish house. He saw a man who had fallen through the ice, yelling for help. Meagher quickly headed toward Doug Schmidt on the thin ice and used a sled to have Schmidt grab onto and pull him out of the water. Meagher walked Schmidt back to his car, and later that evening, he stopped at Schmidt’s house to check on him, with some walleye to share.
The Soldier’s Medal was established in 1926 to recognize distinguished individual acts of heroism in a non-combat situation. To be awarded the Soldier’s medal, the act of heroism must involve personal hazard or danger in the voluntary risk of life. The award remains the Army’s highest peacetime award. Only 18,520 service members have been awarded this honor since its creation.
Meagher joined the military in October 2002 and retired February 2023 from the Minnesota National Guard.
“Without Mike, I wouldn’t be here,” said Schmidt, the man rescued from the ice. “He was very brave to cross that ice and heaved to get me out. He truly is a hero; without him, my family would not have had a very good Christmas.”
Editor’s Note: Media members are invited to attend the award presentation on March 29, at 2 p.m., located at Camp Ripley’s Hanger Conference Room, 15000 Highway 115, Little Falls, Minn. Media must RSVP to Army Capt. William Hermanson at (651) 435-3180 or william.t.hermanson.mil@army.mil.
– About the Minnesota National Guard –
Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.
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