Guardsman recently honored for heroism

MOSES LAKE - A Washington Army National guardsman stationed in Moses Lake received an award for heroism Friday for saving a pregnant woman and her 2-year-old son after they drove off the road in December.

Staff Sgt. Jason Fox, a guardsman with B Company 1-161st Infantry in Moses Lake, was returning home to Oroville following drill in Moses Lake Dec. 8. It's when he saw a car in front of him begin to swerve on icy roads and roll off state Route 17. Fox stopped and found Julie Ward, who was 26-weeks pregnant, and her son upside down in their car.

Fox immediately forced his way through the broken rear window, crawled into the car and quickly began to evaluate and treat the injured passengers. Neither Fox nor Ward were able to get cellphone service in the rural area.

As another vehicle approached, Fox ran back to the road and stopped the driver. He then instructed the driver to get to somewhere with cell service and call 911. He returned to the overturned vehicle and continued to calm both passengers.

Fox found a coat inside the vehicle which he used to cover Ward. He then removed his Army combat uniform top and wrapped the child in it to keep warm in the sub-freezing temperatures. He stayed on scene for more than 40 minutes, even reading a book to the boy as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

Once paramedics arrived, Fox assisted them by cutting the child's car seat free from inside the vehicle and was able to pull the boy out.

In an email to the National Guard, Ward described Fox as a "guardian angel" and credits him with "saving my life and my children's."

Fox received the Army Commendation Award for heroism in his efforts to save the passengers. A ceremony was planned for Friday in Moses Lake but was rescheduled for Sunday in Yakima.