Soldier who ran over, immobilized shooter on bridge gets Army’s highest peacetime award

A soldier who officials say saved “countless lives” by driving his vehicle into a gunman who was shooting at people on a busy bridge near Fort Leavenworth, Kan., has been awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism.

Retired Master Sgt. David Royer was presented the medal last week for his actions on Centennial Bridge, which links Kansas and Missouri, in late May, when he saw a man get out of a vehicle and start shooting.

“I assessed the situation very quickly, looked around and just took the only action that I felt I could take,” Royer said. “I accelerated my truck as quickly as possible and struck the active shooter and pinned him underneath my truck.”

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to a member of the armed forces who, while serving with the Army, distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. It is the Army’s highest and most prestigious peacetime award for valor.

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Author: Dian Welle