SGT Mary Ehiaarinmwian

In 2020, Army Sgt. Ehiarinmwian demonstrated exceptional bravery while off-duty, showcasing the readiness of Army soldiers to step up and save lives at any moment. On her way to physical training (PT) on base, she witnessed a fellow soldier from her unit lose control of their vehicle. The car collided with a road sign, flipped through the air, and landed upside down, crashing through a security gate.

Without hesitation, Ehiarinmwian rushed to the driver's side, assessed their injuries, and carefully pulled them from the smoking car. Despite the potential danger, her focus was solely on ensuring the driver's safety. Once paramedics arrived and took charge, Ehiarinmwian continued with her day as if nothing had happened, attending PT with her unit.

Reflecting on the incident, Ehiarinmwian stated, "I was in shock and shaky, but I knew someone was in worse shape than I was. There were no steps or thought behind it, [I] just got out of the car and helped."

Born in Nigeria, Ehiarinmwian immigrated to Germany as a child before moving to the United States in 2016. This supply sergeant, stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, emphasized the importance of acting swiftly in emergency situations, stating, "Every second counts. Every little hesitation could have led to a worse result."

Her selfless actions did not go unnoticed, as Ehiarinmwian was named the 2020 United Services Organization (USO) Soldier of the Year for her heroic efforts.

"This is exactly the type of leader the Army builds." said, SMA Michael A. Grinston.

SGT Ehiarinmwian's inspirational story serves as a testament to the dedication and courage inherent in the Soldiers of the United States Army.

This may seem like a story of just a Soldier doing what Soldiers do, but Back in my day, I had to tell Soldiers to not to throw cigarette butts on the ground. So, I commend this NONCOM for thinking quick, getting the job done, and carrying on to PT.