An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Feb. 4, 2025

Newberry awarded Star of Valor for life-saving actions

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presented 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor, at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024.
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024. (courtesy photo provided by 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment)
SLIDESHOW | 2 images | 250202-Z-RH707-1001 Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presents 2nd Lt. Gary Newberry, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, with the Oklahoma Star of Valor at the 1-180th CAV's headquarters in Ardmore, Oklahoma, February 2, 2025, for Newberry's actions rescuing a driver from a burning vehicle on July 6, 2024. (courtesy photo provided by 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment)

Award Citation:

For 2LT Newberry's exceptional heroism and life-saving actions on 6 July 2024. While driving, 2LT Newberry observed a disabled vehicle on the side of the road with an individual inside. As he approached the car, 2LT Newberry noticed smoke from the engine compartment. 2LT Newberry sprinted towards the vehicle, entered from the passenger side, and removed the occupant from the now-burning vehicle. His actions are in keeping with the highest standards and dedication to service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Squadron 180th Cavalry Regiment, and the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
 
Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert
Oklahoma National Guard, OK-TF1 and special operations partner for helocast training
Oklahoma National Guard
July 23, 2025 | 1:16
Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen with 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, partnered with Oklahoma Task Force 1 and members of the U.S. Air Force’s 9th Air Support Operations Squadron from Fort Hood, Texas, to conduct helocast training at Camp Gruber Training Center, July 23, 2025. The joint training event, part of helocast certification requirements, utilized a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to execute water insertion techniques critical for rapid infiltration operations.
More