FORT BLISS, Tx. (WSAV) — A Master Sergeant from Hinesville was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for his actions and recognized by the Secretary of Defense on Monday.
Master Sergeant Daniel Brooks was personally recognized by Secretary Pete Hegseth for an act of heroism. Brooks was Secretary Hegseth's first award as Secretary of Defense.
The Soldier’s Medal is the highest award a Service Member can be awarded for a non-combat action. Brooks received the award for jumping into action when he saw a man with a knife swatting at people during a Christmas parade in Bayreuth, Germany.
U.S. Army
“I knew he was trying to hurt someone,” he said. “As I moved forward, I swatted away his knife and tried to secure his arm and lunged, falling on top of him while wrestling the man to the ground until security arrived. The whole event was literally seconds.”
Brooks also received the Christophorus Medal by Bavaria governor Markus Söder, which is the German equivalent of the Soldier’s Medal.
“I was humbled and honored and so much of this is above and beyond what I think I have done," Brooks said. "I sometimes feel I have imposter syndrome but so many of those around me continue to remind me that this is what our organization is supposed to do. The outpouring from friends and Family and so many senior Army leaders is hard to even take in.”
Brooks was joined by his wife and father to receive the award in front of over 500 people.
"This recognition is a testament to Daniel’s courage and dedication," his father told WSAV.
Brooks is currently attending the Sergeants Major Course at the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence on Fort Bliss, Texas. He will graduate in June as a Sergeant Major and will go on to serve with 10th Mountain Division as command career counselor.