First Arkansas Military Cross Medal presented to Soldiers
The Arkansas National Guard will present its first two
Arkansas Military Cross Medals in honor of the heroic efforts of two of its
Soldiers at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Capt. Marshall Cooney, of North Little Rock, and 1st Sgt. Larry D. Robinson, of
Bradford, placed themselves at risk of life and limb on Oct. 29, 2004, when
rescuing a woman trapped in an overturned car east of Prescott. The men pulled
up to the vehicle while traveling east on Interstate 30.
They immediately noticed the vehicle was smoking and on fire
and rushed forward to find the injured female conscious and trapped inside.
Disregarding the danger to themselves, not knowing if the vehicle might explode,
Cooney and Robinson pulled the woman from the car and removed her to a safe
distance, staying with her until fire and rescue personnel arrived.
The Soldiers’ immediate recognition of the situation and prompt action was
instrumental in saving the woman from more serious injury or death. Cooney and
Robinson’s readiness to put another’s safety above their own speaks volumes
about their character and value as citizen-Soldiers of the Arkansas National
Guard.
The Arkansas Military Cross is awarded for conspicuous
gallantry or extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty to any
person who is honorably serving in the Arkansas National Guard while in state or
federal service under state control.
The individual receiving the award must have performed an act of heroism
involving voluntary risk of life or limb, designed to protect the life of
another person or persons or to accomplish a task or mission which successful
completion would lessen a threat to the health and safety of others.