Six U.S. Army soldiers have been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for their extraordinary bravery and quick thinking during an active shooter incident that left five service members wounded at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Wednesday.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll personally presented the medals on Thursday to Sgt. Aaron Turner, Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Eve Rodarte, 1st Sgt. Joshua Arnold, and Sgt. Melissa Taylor.

Each soldier was recognized for their decisive actions that subdued the gunman, prevented further violence, and saved lives.

“The fast action of these soldiers under stress and under trauma and under fire absolutely saved lives. They are everything that is good about this nation,” Driscoll said during a news conference, praising their courage in the face of danger.

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

The medals were presented on behalf of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, underscoring the national significance of the soldiers’ heroism, Driscoll noted.

The suspect, identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, is accused of opening fire with a personal handgun at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex.

The attack occurred mid-morning at the sprawling installation, one of the largest in the nation and home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Five soldiers sustained gunshot wounds in the attack. Officials confirmed that all are in stable condition and expected to recover.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Three of the wounded have already been released from the hospital, while two remain under medical care. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting.

Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday, and Radford was taken into custody at 11:35 a.m., according to The Associated Press. The base was placed on lockdown for roughly an hour as a precaution.

First Sgt. Joshua Arnold recalled the chaos and split-second nature of the incident. “It seemed like a flash went past my conference room,” Arnold told CNN, describing how he rushed to aid a fellow soldier who had been shot.

“You don’t really know how to process that in that moment. Of course, friends were shot. Bad things happen, and I’m going to continue to take care of my soldiers and continue to move forward.”

Sgt. Aaron Turner played a pivotal role in ending the violence. Despite being unarmed, Turner tackled Radford, physically bringing him to the ground. A native of Farmington, New Mexico, Turner had been stationed at Fort Stewart for less than a year as an automated logistical specialist.

Master Sgt. Justin Thomas, from Kingwood, Texas, immediately joined Turner in restraining the shooter until military police arrived.

Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Robert Pacheco, Sgt. Eve Rodarte, 1st Sgt. Arnold, and Sgt. Melissa Taylor shifted their focus to the wounded, applying life-saving medical care.

Drawing on their combat medic skills and tactical combat casualty care training, they worked to control bleeding and stabilize injuries until professional medical teams could take over.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, credited the soldiers’ courage with preventing a far greater tragedy.

“Under duress and fire, they ran into battle to the sound of the gunfire, took down the assailant, and then took care of their comrades, and that made all the difference,” Driscoll added, echoing the sentiment.

According to Army records released to The Associated Press, Radford enlisted in January 2018 and served as a supply sergeant. He has not deployed during his service. Radford is currently in pretrial confinement as the Office of the Special Trial Counsel considers formal charges.

The events at Fort Stewart have drawn attention to the readiness and resilience of soldiers not just in combat zones, but also on home soil.

The actions of Turner, Thomas, Pacheco, Rodarte, Arnold, and Taylor demonstrate the critical importance of training, quick thinking, and teamwork in life-or-death situations.

For the soldiers honored, the recognition is secondary to their commitment to their fellow service members.

Their instinct to run toward danger rather than away from it has left a lasting impact on the Fort Stewart community — and stands as an example of the selfless service that defines the U.S. Army.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.