Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 New York National Guard member honored for heroism in her own neighborhood By Eric Durr
                New York National Guard
 FARMINGDALE, N.Y.— Staff Sgt. Marlana Watson was spending a quiet night at her Syracuse home playing video games when the New York Army National Guard medic and Afghan War veteran, heard gunshots coming from the street outside. Watson checked on her sleeping 5-year-old son and rushed outside. There were two boys down on the lawn across the street. They were yelling, “Help me, help me,” she recalled. Not knowing whether or not the shooter had left, or whether more gunfire would occur, Watson raced across the street and began using her medical training to save lives. On Aug. 19, Watson was recognized for her selfless service on the night of Nov. 5, 2014, when she received the New York State Medal for Valor, New York’s highest military honor from Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general. “It’s an incredible honor to be able to recognize one of our Soldiers for a very selfless act,” Murphy said. “Staff Sgt. Watson acted in the best traditions of the New York National Guard when she went to the aid of those two young men, despite the risk that the assailants could open fire again. She took her military training and expertise and used it to help her neighbors and community,” Murphy said. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo also praised Watson’s actions. “Without hesitation, Staff Sgt. Watson placed her own personal safety at risk in order to help those in need,” Cuomo said. “I commend her heroic actions and am proud to see this exemplary New Yorker receive this well-deserved honor.” The New York State Medal for Valor is awarded to members of the New York National Guard who display valor, heroism, courage or gallantry either in a military or civilian capacity. “You don’t think you would get a medal this high,“ Watson said. “ I just did what anybody else would have done.” Watson, age 28, began administering emergency aid to the two shot boys—ages 13 and 15—and took charge of the scene. She directed her sister to call 911 and enlisted the aid of other residents. One boy was shot in his upper buttock. She had nothing to stop the bleeding so Watson pulled off his boot and sock and used the sock as a bandage. She turned him over to check for an exit wound, and seeing none, she asked an onlooker to hold the bandage on the wound while she checked the other victim. The other victim was shot in the thigh and in the calf. She told him he had to lie still and let her check his wounds because there is a major artery in the leg. That boy said he was getting cold so Watson sent her sister inside to get a blanket. By the time her sister returned, the police and emergency medical teams arrived and Watson turned the care of the two teens over to them. Police later determined that passengers in a vehicle had shot at the two teenagers from behind. At the time of the event, Watson, a Binghamton native, was assigned to the 107th Military Police Company, which is headquartered in Brooklyn. She is now assigned to Company A of the New York Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion as a full-time recruiter at the Farmingdale, New York, Armed Forces Reserve Center. A member of the New York Army National Guard since 2004, Watson served as a medic in Afghanistan in 2012 and 2013 as a member of the New York Army National Guard’s 427th Brigade Support Battalion. She and other members of the 427th deployed to Afghanistan and served as part of the 3rd Battalion, 401st Army Field Support Brigade at Bagram Air Base.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park
 By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas,
  Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match
 By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • yesterday
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • 2 days ago
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • 3 days ago
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 3 days ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil