Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT, at his Oklahoma Star of Valor ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill. (Oklahoma Army National Guard by Cpl. Danielle Rayon)
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MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Alexander Weimer was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor in a ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center March 3. Weimer earned the award for his courageous actions at the scene of a head-on collision April 21 that claimed the life of one motorist and left several others injured and trapped in their vehicles.
“There was a pretty severe accident,” said Capt. Travis Wilsey, commander of Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “He came upon it and just reacted as every Soldier should. It was an amazing story.”
Weimer was on his way to military duty when he encountered the two vehicles that had collided and immediately stopped to assist.
Taking charge at the scene, Weimer directed a bystander to dial emergency services and began assessing a trapped driver before removing the driver from the damaged vehicle.
Finding the passenger unresponsive, Weimer moved to the second vehicle, where he again pulled a trapped driver from a rolled-over van.
Weimer continued to put his military skills to use as first responders arrived at the scene. He helped pull a passenger from the rolled van and helped calm disoriented and distraught survivors of the accident.
Once emergency services arrived, Weimer stayed to help remove the passenger of the second vehicle and keep a survivor calm. He remained on the scene until the crash victims were taken to the hospital, then proceeded to his military training.
“It’s just a different side of serving the state and community and how important it is,” Weimer said about his swift response to the incident.
Wilsey said Weimer’s actions exemplify the values of the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Citizen-Soldiers: leadership, courage and selfless service. Guardsmen serve the nation and friends and neighbors in their communities.
“Spc. Weimer is an exemplary Soldier,” said Wilsey. “He’s always motivated, always willing to help out, and obviously, has great selfless service. He’s a Soldier you can rely on in any situation.”