An off-duty Army medic received the prestigious Soldier’s Medal after he saved a teenage girl’s life while exchanging gunfire with an armed assailant outside his apartment complex.
At a Glance
- Sgt. Brian Lieberman, 22, of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism outside of combat
- On June 5, 2023, Lieberman treated a 14-year-old girl with a gunshot wound while under fire at his apartment complex in Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Using a plastic grocery bag as an improvised chest seal, Lieberman shielded the victim with his body when the shooter returned
- The Soldier’s Medal requires recipients to voluntarily risk their lives in clearly recognizable personal hazard or danger
- Lieberman attributes his call to service to his parents – his mother is a nurse and his father a paramedic and police officer
Heroic Response Under Fire
On June 5, 2023, Army Sergeant Brian Lieberman was off duty at his Carrington Place apartment complex in Fayetteville, North Carolina, when chaos erupted. Hearing screams and gunshots, the 22-year-old combat medic with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg did what he was trained to do – he responded immediately to help those in danger. What followed was an extraordinary display of courage that would later earn him one of the military’s highest honors for non-combat heroism.
“I looked out my window with my roommate and we heard people screaming and saw people running around by my complex pool, at which point I grabbed my weapon and ran out my front door while my roommate dialed 911,” Lieberman told Fox News Digital. Upon arriving at the scene, Lieberman found a 14-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her lower back. Without hesitation, he put his medical training into action, despite the ongoing threat.
Improvised Medical Care Under Threat
Lacking proper medical equipment, Lieberman demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by using a plastic grocery bag as a makeshift chest seal to treat the victim’s gunshot wound. His quick thinking and professional training allowed him to provide critical care in the most challenging circumstances. As he worked to stabilize the girl, the situation became even more dangerous when the shooter’s vehicle returned to the scene, putting both Lieberman and the wounded teenager in the line of fire.
“The shooter’s vehicle drove past us again, and my roommate yelled at me to get down. I threw myself over the girl while the shooters drove by and shot at us again, and then that was when I pulled my weapon out to return fire into the suspect’s vehicle.”, said Army Sgt. Brian Lieberman.
Rather than seeking cover, Lieberman shielded the young victim with his own body while returning fire at the assailants. He continued to provide medical care and protection until local authorities arrived with proper medical supplies. His decisive actions under fire saved the teenager’s life, embodying the highest standards of military service and American heroism.
Recognition of Extraordinary Valor
On May 6, 2025, nearly two years after the incident, Lieberman received the Soldier’s Medal at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This prestigious decoration is awarded for acts of heroism outside of combat and requires recipients to voluntarily risk their lives in clearly recognizable personal danger. The medal acknowledges Lieberman’s extraordinary courage in saving the girl’s life while engaging in a gun battle with the assailants.
Colonel Jason Schuerger, speaking at the award ceremony, highlighted how Lieberman’s actions exemplify the ethos of the 1st Brigade Combat Team. “Without a doubt our Airborne medics move to the sound of gunfire to save lives. Of course he moved to the sound of gun fire, of course he administered aid, of course he saved somebody’s life,” Schuerger stated, underscoring how Lieberman’s response reflects the core values instilled in America’s military personnel.
A Family Legacy of Service
Lieberman’s heroism comes from a deep-rooted family tradition of public service. His mother works as a nurse while his father served as both a paramedic and police officer. This background instilled in him a sense of duty and commitment to helping others in their time of need. Despite the recognition, Lieberman maintains the humble perspective that he was “just doing his job” when he risked his life to save the young girl.
Since receiving the award, Lieberman has used his experience to mentor junior medics, emphasizing the importance of passion for medicine and preparedness. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary individuals who serve in our armed forces and their readiness to protect their fellow Americans, whether on the battlefield or in their own communities. Lieberman’s actions demonstrate that true heroism knows no boundaries between military duty and civilian life.
