Air Force Maj. Justin Warner’s quick action in January saved the lives of a father and daughter whose vehicle had flipped over, and earned him the service’s highest award for non-combat heroism — the Airman’s Medal. Records show that when Warner spotted the vehicle as he was driving toward Dallas, he immediately pulled over to help.
He dialed 911 while moving toward the stricken SUV, noticing that its driver and passenger would need help getting out of the vehicle.
As soon as he reached the two, he climbed atop the SUV and pulled them to safety from the open driver’s side window. The father, Stephen Wolfe, coincidentally is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. He was able to walk to safety without assistance. His daughter, however, sustained an ankle injury. Warner carried her away from the vehicle. Shortly after both victims were out of harm’s way, the vehicle burst into flames.
By then, other eyewitnesses had called emergency services technicians, who arrived on the scene and transported the two victims to facilities where they could be screened and treated for injuries.
Warner did not get a chance to talk to Wolfe and his daughter at the site before the rescue teams carried them away. Wolfe, however, notified authorities at Shepard Air Force Base, where Warner is stationed, and told them about the incident. As his family, as well as Wolfe and his daughter watched, Warner received the medal during a Nov. 27 ceremony at Shepard.
Warner is an instructor attached to the 97thFlying Training Squadron.
