U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Cruz, Colorado Army National Guard was driving home from work when he witnessed a major four-vehicle accident Aug. 30, 2023. A vehicle swerved to avoid an initial collision with two other vehicles, veering into oncoming traffic and rolling several times before crashing into a fourth vehicle.
Without hesitation, Cruz pulled over and rushed to check on the occupants in the two vehicles in front of him.
“I acted because it was the right thing to do,” said Cruz.
Cruz saw the rolled vehicle erupt into flames. With no thought for his own safety, he urgently moved towards the burning wreck. Inside, he found the driver unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. Cruz then climbed into the overturned vehicle, unbuckled the driver and moved the driver to safety.
After Cruz revived the driver, the man mentioned a child. Cruz bolted back to the flaming vehicle, where he found an empty child’s car seat. Cruz then checked the vehicle for other occupants but found the vehicle empty. He returned to the injured driver’s side and remained there until first responders arrived on the scene. Cruz relayed to emergency medical services and law enforcement what he had seen and done during those harrowing minutes.
For his actions, Cruz was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism by The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan during a ceremony July 9, 2025, at the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora, Colorado.
“That day, he saved a man’s life. On behalf of Governor Jared Polis, it truly is an honor to present Sergeant Cruz with the Soldier’s Medal.” Clellan said, “It’s an honor to serve alongside him in the Colorado National Guard.”
Cruz spoke humbly at the podium, saying that he never imagined his actions would be recognized in such a profound way.
“I just went and assessed what had happened,” remarked Cruz. “It sounds a lot bigger than what I think it was. It’s not like the movies. It’s not explosions and stuff like that. For the most part, it was a subtle fire, but I knew that it could get worse really quick. I really wanted to get that guy out of that vehicle as fast as I could.”
The Soldier’s Medal is the highest U.S. Army award for acts of heroism in a non-combat situation.
Cruz has served the state of Colorado and the United States for 22 years. In his current role at the 8th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Cruz aids local and state agencies with identification, assessment, advice and assistance in response to weapons of mass destruction incidents. The unit’s mission is unique in the CONG, as it requires continuous readiness and commitment around the clock, every day of the year.
“Let this medal serve not as a symbol of one act, but as a reminder of what we all commit to when we put on this uniform: to protect, to serve, and to live by the values that define the very best of who we are,” reflected Cruz. “Thank you for this honor. I will wear it with pride and continue to serve with integrity, courage and respect.”
The Soldier’s Medal was established by an Act of Congress July 2, 1926, and amended by 10 USC 3750. The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including reserve component Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d), at the time of the heroic act, who distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.