Two Sullivan County Soldiers named USO National Guardsmen of the Year

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Two Tennessee National Guardsmen, Spcs. Brandon Moore and Ethan Ward from Sullivan County, are being honored as the 2025 National Guard Members of the Year by the United Services Organizations for their heroic and selfless actions during Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

In September 2024, Moore and Ward, who both serve in Johnson City’s 776th Support Maintenance Company, volunteered to assist East Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. On September 27, they were dispatched to help rescue citizens trapped on top of Unicoi Hospital. With Moore driving, both Soldiers were traveling in a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, which has a high ground clearance, to the hospital when they encountered major flood waters. Their vehicle was struck by debris and tipped over, quickly filling with water.

Moore and Ward escaped their vehicle, swimming to a large pile of debris and climbing on top of it amidst rushing flood waters. While waiting for rescue, they saw six other people being swept down the river clinging to debris to stay afloat. Without regard to their personal safety, Moore and Ward reached into the water and rescued each of the Tennesseans, pulling them to safety. While evaluating each of them for injuries, Moore and Ward got the attention of first responders on land and coordinated a helicopter rescue using hand and arm signals. When the Blackhawk arrived, both Guardsmen worked with the flight crew to ensure everyone was airlifted into the helicopter safely before they too were rescued.

“This is a great honor,” said Ward. “I’m proud and humbled to be able to represent the Tennessee National Guard as the USO’s Guardsmen of the Year. I joined the National Guard to be able to help those in need and serve my country, and that is exactly what I was able to do that day.”

The 24-year-old Ward originally grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, then enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Fire Support Specialist.

“One of the reasons I joined the military was because of my father,” said Ward. “He enlisted in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, and I always admired the man he was.”

After three and a half years on active duty, where he deployed to Latvia for four months with Company B, 2nd Battalion, of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, he enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard in Johnson City. For the last few years, he has served with the 776th and is training to become an allied trades specialist who performs welding and fabrication.

Moore is also a 24-year-old Guardsman originally from Viginia. Born in Portsmouth, he grew up around the U.S. Navy as part of a military family. His father served in the Navy for 20 years and his grandfather served in the Airforce. After moving to Piney Flats, he enlisted in Johnson City’s 776th Support Maintenance Company as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. For the last five years, he has participated in numerous training events and is currently pursuing a career in security.  

“I joined the National Guard because I really wanted to serve my country,” said Moore. “It has been an amazing experience, and I love being able to help others and being a part of an organization that is bigger than myself.”

Author: Lt. Col. Darrin Haas
Last Updated: May 9, 2025
Category: Award Recognition