RELEASE NUMBER: 130715-01
DATE POSTED: JULY 15, 2013
Hero receives Soldier's Medal
USASOC Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. Daniel A. Carter
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, July 15, 2013) – Because of his heroic actions on the fateful day of 15 November 2012, Sgt. Maj. William L. Lubbers was posthumously awarded the Soldier's Medal, July 15, 2013.
Lubbers was aboard a float during a Show of Support parade in Midland, Texas when it was struck by a train moving at more than 60 miles per hour. The parade took place 4 days after Veterans Day in order to show support for veterans injured while in combat operations.
Lubbers had reacted as fast as he could, instantly pulling Soldiers and their wives off of the float in order to move them out of harm's way. With only 15 seconds of warning, Lubbers showed remarkable bravery, courage, and selfless action when he jumped from his seat on the float and began to physically move people to get them to the ground. Lubbers stayed aboard the float, with no regard for his own personal safety, in order to save as many people as he could before being struck by the train killing Lubbers and three other veterans.
United States Army Special Operations Command commanding general, Charles T. Cleveland, attended the ceremony as the guest speaker.
"Sgt. Maj. Lubbers was a hero in every sense of the word," Cleveland said, "He is greatly missed and will always be part of the USASOC family."
After the orders were published, Cleveland presented the Soldier's Medal to Lubbers' wife, Tiffanie, and children Zachary and Sydnie.
The award ceremony in dedication of Sgt. Maj. Lubbers was attended by the Lubbers' family and friends, civilians and Soldiers alike.