Army National Guard Specialist Isaac Wieboldt, a Pittsford resident, Receives New York Valor Medal

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NewYork Army National Guard Specialsit Isaac Wieboldt

LATHAM, NY (05/01/2013)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Specialist Isaac Wieboldt, a Pittsford resident, has been awarded the New York State Medal for Valor.

Wieboldt, a member of Buffalo's 105th Military Police Company, was one of five Soldiers recognized during a ceremony this week for braving Hurricane Sandy's rising flood waters to rescue at least 28 people on the night of October 29, 2012.

The New York State Medal of Valor is the most prestigious New York State military award. Service members honored with the Medal of Valor must display personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty and demonstrate "for gallantry and intrepidity above all comrades."

"All of the 4,500 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who responded to the governor's call when Hurricane Sandy hit did their duty, but Specialist Isaac Wieboldt went above and beyond the call of duty and risked his own life to help others," said Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York.

"He exemplifies what a Citizen Soldier should be," Murphy added.

Sgt. Brandan Voss, also a member of the 105th Military Police Company, was awarded the Medal of Valor for the same incident.

On the afternoon of Oct 29, Wieboldt's unit  had just completed a convoy march from Buffalo to Long Island as a component of the New York National Guard's Initial Response Force. The 105th MP Company's mission was to set up in the Farmingdale Armed Forces Reserve Center while the hurricane hit and then immediately begin aiding civilian authorities.

The Wieboldt, Voss and two other Soldiers, were dispatched with two humvees to assist the Island Park Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. as Sandy hit.

Reporting to Fire Chief Anthony D'Esposito the Guardsmen almost immediately accompanied the chief to check out the report of a fire raging amidst the flood. When they arrived at the burning house they dismounted their vehicles and began going door-to-door in the four –and-a-half foot deep water, alerting residents and helping them into a truck driven by members of the fire department.

Despite the frigid water, fast-moving debris, and downed power lines the military policeman stuck with the job all night, assisting in rescuing at least 20 local residents, despite the fact that they were forced to abandon their vehicles due to rising flood waters.

Wieboldt , age 21, was born in Texas and moved to New York in 2008. He joined the New York Army National Guard in July 2009 and was assigned to the 105th Military Police Company out of Buffalo, NY. He deployed to Iraq in 2011 and served as the squad leader's driver and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service there.

Wieboldt is currently enrolled at Monroe Community College Criminal Justice program. He is also is an active Volunteer Firefighter and EMT for his local Fire Department. Wieboldt is currently employed as a CDL driver for Admar Supply Company in Rochester, NY.

Wieboldt recently finished an internship with the Brighton Police Department and is actively pursuing his career in law enforcement. He plans on continuing serving in the New York Army National Guard when his current enlistment expires.