Africa News of Thursday, 14 January 2021

Source: mynigeria.com

Nigerian woman awarded soldier of the year in US

Sergeant Mary Ehiarinmwain (Right) receiving her award Sergeant Mary Ehiarinmwain (Right) receiving her award

Sergeant Mary Ehiarinmwain, a Nigerian working in the United States as a soldier, has been awarded the USO's Soldier of the Year 2020.

Hiram Figueroa on LinkedIn said Mary was selected for the award following her bravery after she rescued a soldier who was involved in an accident.

According to him, Mary was unaware that the person she was rescuing was from her unit, the 523rd Engineer Support Company at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Mary Ehiarinmwain received an award from the Army leadership for her bravery.

Figueroa wrote:

"In June 2020, Ehiarinmwian witnessed a vehicle flip over in front of her and land on its roof. Unknown to her at the time, the driver was another soldier from her unit, the 523rd Engineer Support Company at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

"Ehiarinmwian immediately pulled over and approached the smoking vehicle. She freed the driver and pulled him to safety, where she kept him stable until EMS arrived. The driver survived with minor injuries.

"While Ehiarinmwian viewed her actions as something that any soldier would have done, her leadership believed she deserved recognition. Several months later, Ehiarinmwian received a call from the Sergeant Major of the Army informing her she was selected as the USO's Soldier of the Year 2020."