‘Exceptional Courage’: USO Announces its 2026 Service Members of the Year

A soldier who aided in recovery efforts following. An airman who saved more than a dozen lives in a house fire. An off-duty Coast Guardsman who saved the life of a motorcyclist following a crash. These are some of the military service members highlighted for their actions in 2025 by the United Service Organizations (USO).

The USO on Wednesday unveiled its 2026 USO Service Members of the Year, celebrating seven members “whose exceptional courage and dedication went beyond the call to duty.”

The awardees will be honored in person at this year’s annual USO Gala taking place on April 16 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

“The USO Service Members of the Year have shown remarkable commitment to protecting and serving others, often stepping in during critical moments for both fellow troops and civilians,” USO CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Linnington said in a statement shared with Military.com.

“These awards highlight the incredible people who serve in our nation’s military.”

David Carrier, a USO spokesperson, told Military.com that the nonprofit and military mainstay dating back to 1941 created this award in 2003.

“The USO Service Members of the Year are nominated by command leadership from each military branch and final selections are made by a USO committee,” Carrier said.

The USO served service members and their families through more than 250 locations worldwide, providing care packages, entertainment, military spouse and youth programming and more through efforts deemed possible by donors, corporate partners, volunteers and staff.

All of This Year’s Honorees

This year’s awardees run the gamut in terms of giving back to individuals and communities, showing that military service doesn’t suddenly stop when off the base or battlefield.

They represent all seven services and individually were praised for the following selfless acts:

USO Soldier of the Year: Army Capt. Emily Malcom

U.S. Army Capt. Emily Malcom, despite being stationed at Fort Bliss with the 5th Armored Brigade, immediately stepped into action when on July 4, 2025, her hometown of Kerrville, Texas, was devastated by catastrophic flash flooding. The situation, which garnered national attention due to the damage and fear inflicted on local communities and the more than 100 fatalities.

Malcolm arranged for emergency leave and drove overnight to reach her community. By July 7, she had reported for duty and worked as a volunteer firefighter and collaborated with a search-and-rescue team to lead recovery operations.

She also helped organize dive teams, managed personnel in high-impact areas, served as a vital liaison to the Emergency Operations Center, and coordinated with local groups to distribute aid and emotional support to families who had lost everything.

Malcom is originally from Austin, Texas, and still at Fort Bliss.

What the USO said: “As both an Army Reservist and law enforcement officer, Malcom personifies selfless service in multiple uniforms. The community of Kerrville benefited from her ability to bridge her dual roles, leveraging military discipline and civil familiarity with the region to foster efficient teamwork.”

USO Marine of the Year: Lance Cpl. Matthew Garcia

Lance Cpl. Matthew Garcia’s recognition comes from saving a fellow Marine was suddenly overtaken by heavy surf and rip currents more than 50 yards from shore. The situation prompted Garcia to dive in and save his colleague without any life-saving equipment. 

Garcia stabilized the Marine, kept him above water despite repeated submersion, and maneuvered him safely to shore before lifeguards arrived on scene.

He is originally from Los Angeles and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

What the USO said: “Lance Cpl. Garcia’s decisive action, composure under extreme pressure and selfless disregard for his own safety were directly responsible for saving a fellow Marine’s life and reflect the highest traditions of the Marine Corps’ enduring commitment to Semper Fidelis—always faithful.”

USO Sailor of the Year: Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Hawthorne

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Hawthorne led an underwater recovery mission in Lithuania when a submerged armored vehicle resulted in four missing crew members.

In April 2025, four soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were undertaking a training exercise in Lithuania when their armored vehicle became submerged in a swamp. All four service members died in the accident.

Hawthorne, the primary diver attempting to locate the bodies of the deceased, voluntarily and repeatedly entered a life-threatening environment with zero visibility that threatened to entrap him and others. He and his team kept going for several days of 24-hour operations despite the risks of environmental poisoning or other ways they too could have met peril.

Hawthorne is originally from New Boston, Texas, and is currently stationed at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.

What the USO said: “Hawthorne and his team’s selfless perseverance under extreme operational hazards was the driving force behind the successful recovery of all four fallen soldiers, epitomizing the highest standards of service, courage and sacrifice within the U.S. Navy.”

USO Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Theodore Dudley

Air Force Staff Sgt. Theodore Dudley was at home when fire alarms went off inside his apartment building that soon filled with smoke. While evacuating he heard neighbors’ calls for help and sprung into action.

Through smoke and a lack of vision, he guided not only children but several families and five elders outside to safety. He also re-entered the building to ensure no one remained inside. He saved 14 lives that day.

Dudley is originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is currently stationed at Ramstein Airbase, Germany.

What the USO said: “During the evacuation, Dudley had also noticed suspicious behavior from an individual near the building who was not a resident. With the information Dudley provided to police, along with evidence found near the crime scene, the suspected arsonist was apprehended.

USO Guardian of the Year: Master Sergeant David Gudgeon

U.S. Space Force Master Sgt. David Gudgeon, a Space Force military training instructor, was instrumental during two separate medical emergencies.

During the first incident, he reacted immediately when a recruit began choking. And performed the Heimlich Maneuver to successfully dislodge the obstruction and enable the recruit to resume training.

In a separate emergency, Gudgeon triaged two unconscious trainees, providing immediate and essential emergency support until medical professionals arrived. He also separately led a team of 14 military training instructors, and also oversaw the training and development of 800 civilians who support critical Space Force career fields.

Gudgeon is originally from McHenry, Ill., and is currently stationed at JBSA-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

What the USO said: “His knowledge of first aid protocols and his ability to remain composed under extreme pressure were critical in stabilizing the trainees and ensuring their survival.”

USO Coast Guardsman of the Year: Yeoman Second Class Cody Dmochowski

U.S. Coast Guard Yeoman Second Class Cody Dmochowski saved the life of a motorcycle accident victim who had been thrown from their motorcycle into a heavily wooded area.

Dmochowski witnessed the crash and rushed to the scene, finding the victim with severe injuries—including a compound fracture with significant blood loss—and he simultaneously rendered aid and relayed information to emergency dispatch.

He also instructed the victim to remain still to prevent spinal injuries. He remained on scene for over an hour to assist with the investigation and later traveled to the hospital to check on the victim’s condition.

Dmochowski is originally from Brick, New Jersey, and is currently stationed at USCG Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey.

What the USO said: “His commitment did not end there; he has since provided unwavering support to the victim and the victim’s family. Without Dmochowski’s immediate, decisive and heroic intervention, it is unlikely the victim would have survived.”

USO National Guardsman of the Year: Master Sgt. Jon Osterhout, Colorado National Guard

In 2025, Master Sgt. Jon Osterhout voluntarily accepted a high-risk, short-notice deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during an escalating regional crisis.

When he arrived in the Middle East, he immediately assumed leadership of a 585-member aircraft maintenance team operating under constant threat of hostile missile fire. His leadership drove 14,500 maintenance actions, enabling 2,500 combat sorties that resulted in 29 aerial victories and the use of 671 guided munitions—contributing to an 87% reduction in regional missile attacks.

He also led the flight’s Emergency Management Program, safeguarding more than 600 personnel. He directed 27 critical repairs across 13 shelters, enhancing base survivability and readiness that proved pivotal during five separate missile alarms.

Osterhout is originally from Aurora, Colo., and is currently stationed at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.

What the USO said: “Beyond the fight, he dedicated personal time to strengthening the force, volunteering as an instructor for the Joint Top Three Airpower Leadership Academy and mentoring 16 NCOs in leadership, counseling and standards enforcement, directly shaping the next generation of Air Force leaders.”