Sportswear Exec Sends Plane for Train Heroes

The chief executive officer of Columbia Sportswear dispatched his personal private jet to transport the mothers of two U.S. service members and one civilian who had thwarted a terrorist attack on a French train last month. Because Tim Boyle, head of the Oregon-based company, provided the plane, the women were able to witness their sons receive the Legion of Honor from French President Francois Hollande Aug. 24. The executive and the pilot of his plane also assisted in getting the women the proper passport credentials they needed from the State Department, the Oregonian reported. Spc. Alek Skarlatos of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, Air Force Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone of the Lajes, Azores-based 65th Air Base Group, U.S. civilian Anthony Sadler and British civilian Christopher Norman forcibly subdued a Moroccan man who brandished an AK-47 assault rifle and 300 rounds of ammunition on Aug. 21. The weapon jammed before the man could fire. The four men reacted quickly, charging the man and beating him into unconsciousness. The incident occurred in Brussels, while the train was en route to Paris from Amsterdam. Army officials since have recommended Skarlatos for the Soldier’s Medal.