The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Master Sergeant Michael L. Huson, United States Army, for exceptional heroism in the face of great risk to himself and others on 11 October 2016. Master Sergeant Huson’s quick reaction, without regard to his own safety, to come to the aid of an overturned vehicle that eventually caught fire resulted in the successful rescue of two injured motorists. Master Sergeant Huson’s selfless service and adherence to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos reflects great credit upon himself, Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion, the First Recruiting Brigade, United States Army Recruiting Command, Training Doctrine Command, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Master Sergeant Michael Huson displayed exceptional heroism with great risk to himself. On the morning of 11 October 2016, Master Sergeant Huson was traveling on Route 78 when he noticed a truck turned over on the driver’s side near exit 57. Upon realizing the accident just occurred and smoke was emerging from the vehicle, Master Sergeant Huson quickly pulled over to assess the situation and check for injured civilians. At that time, a civilian pulled over and Master Sergeant Huson instructed him to call 911. When Master Sergeant Huson approached the truck’s cab, he saw movement inside and a body on the driver’s side. As he climbed on top of the cab to enter through the passenger door, he noticed fuel pouring out of the passenger fuel tank and falling next to the exhaust stack that was now on the ground. Without hesitation, he continued up the cab and opened the passenger-side door to find two civilians; a disoriented female passenger and an injured male driver immobilized from a seized seat belt, both non-English speakers. Master Sergeant Huson quickly assisted the female out of the vehicle and entered the vehicle to perform medical aid to the driver. Master Sergeant Huson assessed the driver sustained head trauma when his head hit the driver window and trauma to his upper body, making him unable to be moved without EMS support. He was able to free the driver’s legs and make him comfortable until local emergency services arrived approximately 25 minutes later. During that time, Master Sergeant Huson remained in the vehicle to ensure the driver’s condition did not deteriorate while fuel continued to spill. When EMS, police, and fire personnel arrived, they cut out the windshield to evacuate the driver. Master Sergeant Huson shielded the driver with a blanket to protect him from debris as the windshield was removed. The driver was then evacuated and Master Sergeant Huson exited the vehicle. Shortly after the driver was evacuated and as crews worked to remove the vehicle from the road, the vehicle caught fire. The driver and passenger could have been further injured or killed without the heroic actions of Master Sergeant Huson. Master Sergeant Huson’s selfless service and adherence to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos reflects great credit upon himself, Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion, the First Recruiting Brigade, United States Army Recruiting Command, Training Doctrine Command, and the United States Army.