Brave paratrooper's humble four-word remark as he's honored with heroism medal for saving teenager's life
A Fort Bragg paratrooper said he was 'just doing my job' when he received the Soldier's Medal for saving a teen girl's life during a pool party shooting.
Sgt. Brian Lieberman, 22, used his skills as a medic to save a 14-year-old girl who was shot outside his North Carolina apartment on June 5, 2023.
The young solider was inside his apartment at the Reserve at Carrington Place complex when he heard the gunshot, reported WTVD.
He ran outside and began treating the victim, who was attending a graduation party at the pool.
'I was at my apartment complex when I heard a slew of gunfire outside. I grabbed my weapon and ran outside and identified myself as a medic,' said Lieberman.
'They pointed to a person who was laying in the street. It was surreal. Felt like I had woken up the next day from a crazy dream.'
Lieberman's quick thinking saved the young girl's life, and he was nominated for the heroism award.
'I went into fight or flight,' Lieberman told Stars and Stripes as he accepted the award. 'I was just doing my job.'
While treating the victim, the shooter drove by the pool hanging out of the vehicle with a gun pointed at Lieberman, according to the Army.
'I threw myself over the girl, almost used myself as a shield to her so she wouldn't get shot again. I pulled out my weapon and returned fire, then continued to treat the victim,' Lieberman said.
Once the vehicle left the complex, Lieberman continued to treat the victim. He identified the entrance wound and treated her for shock.
'I was using a Food Lion grocery bag as a makeshift chest shield. She was shot in the lower back and her breathing was affected so I was trying to seal off that wound,' he said.
The New York native said he was taught to selflessly help others by his parents. His mother is a nurse and father who worked as both a paramedic and police officer, reported WRAL.
'My mom, as long as I could remember, would always stop at car accidents to try to treat people and see if everyone was okay and try to help where she could,' Lieberman said.
Lt. Col. Ryan Boeka, who was the commander of Lieberman's unit at the time, nominated him for the award.
The Soldier's Medal was established by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, after the war department declared a need to recognize distinguished individual acts of heroism not involving actual contact with any enemy.
It is one of the Army's most distinguished awards for heroic actions on behalf of fellow Soldiers or Civilians.
'I heard the story the night this happened,' Boeka said. 'It was clear right then this was something special.
'I'm incredibly proud of the act of heroism he displayed. Such a great representation of everything this division means and our army values.'
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