Earlier this month two Utah Air National Guard members received state awards, one dealing with an incident in Duchesne County. In two separate events the men were credited with saving lives while off-duty. On August 28th, Airman 1st Class Jensen Martinez was at the Duchesne County’s Starvation Reservoir with his father when they noticed two people struggling in the water. The two of them swam out and rescued an 18 year old woman and her companion. After rendering first aid, a medical helicopter brought the woman to a hospital, and both individuals pulled from the reservoir recovered. Lt. Gov. Diedre Henderson awarded Airman 1st Class Jensen Martinez the Utah Medal of Valor, the state’s highest award for members of the Utah National Guard. It is reserved only for those who have demonstrated extraordinary courage. The second guard member recognized was Sgt. Urian Marshall who received the Utah Cross, after he applied tourniquets to a person that suffered a severe injury from an accidental discharge at the firing range where Marshall was working.
