Comments for Fort Riley Soldier Honored for saving lives.

Fort Riley Soldier Honored for saving lives.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:15:33 -0600

Meet Specialist Darrell Dressler, shown here receiving the Soldier's Medal on July 7 from MG General Durbin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Specialist Darrell Dressler, receives the Soldier's Medal on July 7 from MG Durbin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division. The Soldier's Medal is the Army's highest decoration for acts of bravery, other than combat. US Army photo by Specialist Francisca Vega. Then-Private First Class Darrell Dressler displayed his Army values and courage by saving two strangers' lives in a train wreck on May 6, 2007. He was passing by Grant Gate, on Fort Riley, near the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard (of which he is a member) stables when he noticed that the bridge had begun to collapse due to rain-swollen waters. The two lead engines of the train collided, crashing into the flooding river. Trapped inside were the engineer and conductor, disoriented and unable to find their way out. Dressler, without hesitating, jumped a fence and climbed the bridge to get to the train. He discovered the engineer and conductor trapped inside the engine. Both engines were in the creek bed with one of them leaking fuel when Dressler helped both people escape through the only opening not blocked by wreckage, the conductor's window. Well done, Specialist Dressler! If you're going to be one, be a Big Red One! Almost literally, in this case, given the uniform...

Comment from JimC on 2008-07-10

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:59:28 -0600

Hey his bravery is appreciated and admired. Doesn't change the fact of the most interesting thing in the photograph. I will admit though you have certainly said all that needs saying despite my snivel prior to this admission.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-07-10

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:42:28 -0600

Focus, people. Specialist Dressler gets the Soldier's Medal, and you all are carping about a shirt he's not responsible for.

Sheesh!

Comment from JimC on 2008-07-10

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:50:26 -0600

John Ford and the Duke are spinning in their graves over those red shirts.

Give me a break. What is the historical precedent?

The men of t"he bold redshirtswho ran with the machine" were from the NYC Volunteer Infantry Regiment of Fire Zouaves in the Civil War were entitled to the red shirts but cavalry???????

Comment from Bill Smith on 2008-07-10

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:07:13 -0600

I get the old timey cavalry hats; they're cool. But I have never seen a bright red uniform shirt. What is up with that?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-07-09

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:15:20 -0600

Well, you have, if you looked at the 4th of July pictures Larry K sent in.

That's a special-use uniform authorized for the CGs ceremonial Mounted Color Guard - and only authorized when performing those duties.

Comment from kat-missouri on 2008-07-09

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:06:53 -0600

You know, I dont' think I've ever seen that uniform before