Soldiers hailed as heroes for saving crash victim from burning car

On Sept. 3, two Soldiers were working as volunteers and representatives for the "No DUI Program" coordinated by Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) and received a call asking for a ride home.

Spc. Basar Bozdogan, an automated logistical specialist, and Pfc. Jacob Kranjnik, an infantryman, both assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, immediately jumped into action and drove their government vehicle to pick up a Soldier to ensure he made it home safely.

"After approximately 15 minutes into the drive, we called the Soldier saying that we were close by," said Kranjnik. "He told us he found another ride."

A little disappointed, they turned around and headed home. As they were driving southbound on Highway 24 on Fountain Boulevard, they saw a wreck.

"We noticed a three-vehicle collision," said Kranjnik. "There was no one else around or on the road. I believed that the wreck happened maybe 30 seconds before we got there."

Bozdogan and Kranjnik quickly pulled over to see what had happened.

"We noticed one person who was helping people get out of their vehicle," said Kranjnik. "We assisted as well. Once everyone was out of their vehicles, I looked back and noticed someone was still stuck inside. At first, I didn't want to move him because he looked like he was injured pretty badly. Then, I noticed there were flames under the vehicle. It started to get bigger really fast. I screamed to Bozdogan and yelled that the vehicle is catching on fire."

Bozdogan immediately recognized that there was a person in the vehicle as well.

"We didn't want to pull the guy out of the vehicle unless we had to," said Bozdogan.

Bozdogan and Kranjnik jumped into action, flung open the door, took the injured man's seatbelt off, and carried him to safety.

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"As we were carrying him away, the whole car caught on fire," said Kranjnik. "If we would've waited longer, it would've been a devastating situation. He could've also suffered burn injuries, or even died."

Bozdogan said everything happened for a reason.

"That man would not have had a chance if it weren't for us. In my heart, I knew right away that I was not going to watch him burn alive. We were meant to be on that road. We were trying to prevent an accident with a Soldier and ended up saving someone else's life that night. What are the odds?"

Bozdogan and Kranjnik did not feel like heroes. They felt like they did the humane thing to help people who were in need.

"I joined the Army to save lives here and abroad," said Bozdogan. "It doesn't matter where I'm at, I just have that instinct to react when I see someone who needs help. It's not all about being a hero, it's about making a split second decision at the right moment to ensure the safety of others."

Bozdogan and Kranjnik, two Iron Soldiers, have been nominated for the Soldier's Medal.

The Soldier's Medal is the Army's highest peacetime award for valor. According to Army Regulation 600-8-22, the directive that outlines military awards and decorations, the performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy.